Majid Jordan Progress With Sophomore Album ‘The Space Between’

Jordan Bailey

Toronto-based duo Majid Jordan are back with a welcomed follow-up to their acclaimed self-titled debut released only one year ago. “The Space Between” finds the two progressing into true-form alternative R&B artists with their emotive crooning and vibey productions. From the lo-fi “Intro” to the blissed-out “Outro,” Majid Jordan have put together a run of electronic-lead R&B tunes perfect for a wind down.  

As Toronto natives and members of Drake’s subsidiary label OVO Sound, Majid Jordan fall very much in the vein of contemporary R&B. Alongside fellow signees PARTYNEXTDOOR and dvsn, OVO has managed to lead the charge of this burgeoning genre. Though Ullman’s still learning the nuances of production, as he detailed in a recent interview with Billboard, his craft feels as strong as it is varied. Maskati’s lyricism and vocal abilities too have gained confidence with the duo’s second effort. The two certainly have plenty to say this time around. “Phases” reminisces on Maskati’s youth. As a Bahrain native, he moved to Toronto when he was eighteen where he studied business at the University of Toronto and soaked in an entirely new culture. He details the emotional move in a single line, “All of this love and all this disdain.” Through loneliness and depression, however, came his friendship with Ullman and ultimately a totally new record label family.

Speaking of OVO, the aforementioned label mates hopped on two tracks for “The Space Between.” PARTYNEXTDOOR lends his soothing tone to “One I Want,” an uncluttered slow-dance cut finding the two singers reminding their respective girlfriends that money won’t affect their love. Contrastly, “My Imagination” features dvsn in what could lyrically be described as a modern-day retelling of Usher’s famed “U Remind Me.”

“Gave Your Love Away” picks up where The Weeknd left off with “Starboy.” The hybrid dance-R&B tune lead models down the runway for Louis Vuitton’s Men’s SS18 show in Paris over the summer. The duo dug the tune so much they even included a chopped and screwed version for the “Outro.” The song details Maskati’s breakup with his former girlfriend, one that found him retracing his steps with a sense of regret. At least some version of heartbreak is featured prominently throughout. “OG Hearthrob” finds the singer wishing his love would return, saying “I’ve got a classic case of OG heartache.” Fans first heard “You” on the duo’s tour last year where Maskati once again vulnerably details his heartbreak over Ullman’s minimalist beat. “Happiness was all we had,” he evokes, “Now the happiness is the past.”

Drake clearly knew what he was doing when he signed Majid Jordan to his personal label. It was likely a no brainer after the duo helped produce one of the singer’s most successful tracks to date (“Hold On, We’re Going Home”). Like this hit, Maskati and Ullman have found a niche amongst a saturated genre of instantaneously popular Soundcloud artists. “The Space Between” only serves to heighten their popularity in this crowded field with its highly personalized dance/R&B ambiances. To come so quick with album number two, and a good one at that, it’s no telling where these boys will end up.

“The Space Between” is available Oct. 27 on Apple Music.