Khamari has a talent for creating masterpieces of romantic yearning. Last year’s To Dry A Tear was a testament to that with songs like “Head In A Jar,” “Sycamore Tree” and “Lonely In The Jungle.” With the project nearing its first anniversary, the singer-songwriter is giving us another dose with his newest single “To Want Someone Badly.”
The song, produced by Khamari, Daoud and Vaughn Elsas, offers a modern take on blues with mournful lead guitar backed by simple drums. The elements fit nicely with the singer’s tender vocal delivery as he details wishing to be nearer to the one he desires. But as smooth as it all sounds, there are moments punctuated by the dissonance of roaring electric guitar and crashing cymbals, showcasing an implied darkness just beyond the surface of the lyrics.
Khamari sings of wanting more specificity when it comes to how his significant other feels. However, rather than give him the response he’s looking for, the object of his affection is coming off more aloof than caring. But that doesn’t deter the singer, who sings of his wants on the chorus, “Yes, I want more / More of your time / I might be selfish / But is it a crime / To want someone badly / To want to spend this night / Where your head lies.”
While “To Want Someone Badly” gives the impression that Khamari is underwater in his emotions, the song’s visualizer features him literally underwater. The entire clip shows the singer’s head plunged underwater. Air bubbles calmly escape from his mouth for the most part. However, when the song crescendos with crashing cymbals, he lets out his frustration with a primal scream that disturbs the calm and troubles the water.
It's uncertain if “To Want Someone Badly” is a one-off single, part of a deluxe edition of To Dry A Tear or the first listen of a new project altogether. But Khamari will be continuing his To Dry A Tear Tour in Europe later this summer. Take a look at the dates below, and pick up tickets for the shows via his website.
Khamari To Dry A Tear Tour European dates:
August 29 – London @ All Points East
August 31 – Paris @ Le Trianon
September 2 – Amsterdam @ Paradiso
September 3 – Cologne @ Bürgerhaus Stollwerck
September 6 – Berlin @ Metropol
September 8 – London @ Hackney Church
