Pop singer-songwriter and former American Idol contestant Judd Harris recently dropped his single/music video, “Take Me Down,” the first single from his upcoming EP, The Beach, slated for release this fall.
Talking about the inspiration for The Beach EP, Harris shares, “After a friend died suddenly in his 30s, my wife and I decided to change our life. We had always talked about living in the Caribbean and within a year, we landed in Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic. When lockdown arrived in the D.R., I stopped playing live music and started writing new songs.”
He adds, “‘The Beach’ EP came out of that time. And much like our friend’s passing jolted us into action, I think the pandemic caused a lot of people to reevaluate their lives in different ways, and especially to question the traditional notions of achievement in America, what’s worth the sacrifice, and what isn’t. It’s like we’d all been sleepwalking, and the pandemic shook us awake, wondering how and why we ended up here. The theme of wanting something more runs through ‘The Beach’ EP, whether that’s a big life change, a childhood dream, a special someone, or just a beach vacation.”
Originally from New Orleans, Harris was a finalist on season four of American Idol and has been featured in elite media outlets, as well as having his voice heard on many TV shows and commercials. Along with sharing the stage with Wyclef Jean and Jesse McCartney, Harris’ duet with Billy Joel went viral on TikTok, amassing more than 500,000 views.
Produced by David Schoenwetter and mastered by Grammy-winner Randy Merrill, musicians on The Beach EP include Harris (vocals, guitar), Leo Abrahams (guitar), David Schoenwetter (bass, keyboards, programming), Paul Amorese (drums), and Rick Nossa (guitar).
“Take Me Down” opens on bright, sparkling guitars, followed by the entry of Harris’ velvety, evocative voice, imbuing the lyrics with shiny, quizzical savors. A low-slung, buoyant rhythm infuses the tune with a vibrant cadence as hints of reggae-lite-laced tones give the harmonics irresistible coloration.
At once imaginative and appealing, with “Take Me Down,” Judd Harris offers a delicious song that hits the sweet spot.