Jelani Aryeh Covers The xx in His Nostalgic Reinterpretation of "Angels"

image

Photo by Brandon Kwon

Jelani Aryeh has a gift for creating music that's blissfully nostalgic. After two albums Suburban Destinesia and Helvetica, Aryeh has built himself a dedicated fanbase. His 2020 single  "Stella Brown" gained viral success for its optimistic and upbeat tone along with its incredibly catchy hook. Aryeh is back and building off this momentum by paying homage to Alternative Pop legends The xx.  

His new single  "Angels" is a contemporary reimagining of The xx's song by the same title. "This song brought me back to the year 2012," explains Aryeh. "That was around junior high and I think lyrics were just starting to hit me. Some part of me still wishes I could listen to these songs with an unconscious, unassuming perspective where songs just made me feel and not think."  

Jelani Aryeh puts his own modern spin on the classic with his smooth and emotive vocal performance, but he still effectively captures what made the original so attention grabbing.  "Angels" is an atmospheric and envelope-pushing track with Aryeh's reinterpretation giving the throwback new perspective. Although the track is a deviation from Aryeh's self-written material,  "Angels" is another beautifully performed track in his growing discography.  

Listen to  "Angels" by Jelani Aryeh below:

Related Articles

Jumping off the Top Rope with Natanya [Q&A]

Jumping off the Top Rope with Natanya [Q&A]

March 20, 2026 Fresh off the release of "Feline’s Return", Natanya is stepping into the spotlight with a quiet confidence that allows the music to speak for itself before making her grand entrance.
Author: Kiani Shabazz
pop
R&B
PIAO Grapples With Identity On New Single “if i am me, then who are you?”

PIAO Grapples With Identity On New Single “if i am me, then who are you?”

March 20, 2026 PIAO’s new single sees the artist interrogating her own feelings surrounding this question, pairing introspective lyrics with glitchy production.
Author: India McCarty
pop
Lamb Shows Us Just What Kind of Rising Star She Is in "overkill"

Lamb Shows Us Just What Kind of Rising Star She Is in "overkill"

March 12, 2026 Lamb is quietly yet steadily walking the path to becoming music’s newest obsession.
Author: Jazmin Kylene
pop