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

Inside the Messy and Cathartic Sonic World of ill peach’s EAVESDROPPING

Inside the Messy and Cathartic Sonic World of ill peach’s EAVESDROPPING

July 15, 2026 We had the amazing opportunity to chat with ill peach on the recording process for EAVESDROPPING, grief, and the evolution of where their sound will evolve next.
Author: Hillary Safadi
Maya Kuriel's EP, A Quiet Collapse, Is the Delusion & Downfall of a Relationship [Q&A]

Maya Kuriel's EP, A Quiet Collapse, Is the Delusion & Downfall of a Relationship [Q&A]

July 15, 2026 Summoned to our content lair, we dug in with Maya, who was kind enough to give us a loudly introspective deep dive into the record & more.
Author: DJ Connor
pop
Dela Kay Turns Codependency Into An Alt-Rush On New Song “Medicine”

Dela Kay Turns Codependency Into An Alt-Rush On New Song “Medicine”

July 14, 2026 Through a bold fusion of alternative rock and electronic production, the track captures the emotional whirlwind of desiring someone who only needs you in fleeting moments.
Author: Alysa Benson