Khamari made a noticeable splash when he released his debut A Brief Nirvana in 2023. The set cut through most of the mainstream sounds with heartfelt, soul-searing lyricism set atop moody, usually stripped-back production. Of course, you can’t make R&B in this vein without being compared to Frank Ocean (and there’s more than a passing resemblance in the musical stylings of the two). The comparisons are sure to keep coming thanks to the sound of his newest single, the vulnerable ballad “Head In A Jar,’ but it also shows the singer-songwriter stepping more into his own artistry.
The song plays into Khamari’s usual formula, with him and producer Trackside crafting a somber melody with acoustic guitar, piano, strings and a looped vocal adding to the mood. It allows the singer to paint a lyrical picture as he sets the scene for heartbreak.
At first, he and the subject of the song seem to be in the same space, with him opening the track with a vivid description of their daily routine. “First thing in the morning / Of course, you put on that U.M. sweater / Just like you always do,” he sings. “Tears drip from a faucet / And ‘Dexter’ play on that television / Just like it always do.” As the song zooms out by the chorus, though, you realize that he’s on the outside looking in — either as an observer experiencing unrequited love or someone watching helplessly as the love in their relationship dies.
“’Cause you keep my head in a jar / Here on your night stand / I’ll spend my life left / With my head in a jar,” he sings. “If it’s the shelf or gone, then / Least I’ll be something to you.”
The visualizer for the track further amplifies this. We see Khamari performing the song while seemingly stuck in a dimly lit waiting room. His constant watching of the clock, pacing and tapping of his foot illustrate that he’s waiting for some kind of sign or opportunity that might never come. The visual metaphor is not lost on us, as the kind of feeling he describes in the song can seem like being stuck in a never-ending holding pattern.
“Head In A Jar” is the first release from Khamari’s upcoming sophomore album, though the details on that are still a bit scarce at the moment. We have a feeling that more information will soon come, though. In the meantime, check out “Head In A Jar” and its visualizer when you scroll down.
