Kiwi upcomer Jackson Owens goes deep with R&B track ‘Can’t Make it Right’
Following the release of Better With You, soul and R&B upcomer Jackson Owens (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Awa, Te Arawa, Ngāi Tahu) has dropped Can’t Make It Right – the second single for his upcoming debut EP.
With over six million Spotify streams before releasing his first EP, Owens’ latest track shows a maturing depth to his songwriting and artistry. Musically, it merges soul, a funk baseline with gospel elements on the hook.
As his second solo single, Can’t Make It Right has been long awaited by Owens’ local and international fans. It was written with head of Five AM Rory Noble soon after Owens left a relationship.
“I was in a relationship that I just couldn’t make right, hence the title of the song. I was at a point in my life where I was finally ready to leave and move forward despite how lonely or scary the journey was going to be.
“When people listen to Can’t Make It Right, I hope that they can hear all that’s gone into it – musically and emotionally.”
After releasing chart topping track Love on the Run with Sons of Zion, touring with Six60 and Stan Walker, and starting his career as a teenager in LA, Owens says he is ready to hone in on his own sound.
“The EP is truly the result of who I am, the music I grew up on, where I’ve been, and what I’ve learned so far on my music journey.
“It took a while for me to come into this. I would always close off to being vulnerable when expressing myself. Having worked with some great producers in the last few years has allowed me to feel comfortable in writing songs that come from the heart.”
The EP is Owen’s first full project with indigenous-lead independent record label, Five AM. Noble says Owens has the potential to bring Māori culture into the mainstream.
“Jackson is an old soul with a fresh look and sound. And he’s a humble family man, but has that once in a generation kind of raw talent and voice. I really think it won’t be long until he takes on the world. He’s got all the makings of a real artist.”
Owens says he hopes his music will affect his fans the way soul music affected him when he was younger.
“Growing up I listened to my koro’s music. Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder. I remember feeling that old soul and the naturalness of each of their talents and voices. It filled me with hunger to be the same.”
Can’t Make It Right is available now on all streaming platforms.
