Three years of abstinence from the music scene and two singles into the new album - which this week dropped in at #6 in the UK Album charts - and it feels like he has never really been away. The video for the third single ‘Stay’ is already up on YouTube. Boy is this a big year for Jay Sean!

So why is this going to be Jay Sean’s year? Well out of all the Asian artists we have seen over the years, he probably has the most commercial credibility. Jay Sean is not just an Asian artist; he is an Artist with a capital A. He understood that sustenance in this industry meant that he has to focus on quality and reinvent himself. Everything about him seems to have matured: his voice, his song-writing and his image. Notorious for keeping himself extremely busy, he spent the last three years writing for his second album while touring the world. With a keen desire to bring R&B back to its grassroots, he reminded himself of acts such as Jodeci and Blackstreet and took it upon himself to leave his personal mark on the music landscape. Production wise, he has teamed up with Rishi Rich, Alan Sampson, J-Remy and Duro, DJ Swivel and The Underdogs. He also had the opportunity to work with American Idol contestant Jared Cotter, who co-wrote a few of his songs on ‘My own way’, and Thara, an up and coming artist from DJ Clue’s Desert Storm record label.

There is a distinctly relaxing vibe on this album which many would have not predicted. Most artists dish out albums, on which 2-3 tracks make you nod your head and tap your foot, but this album really surpasses all expectations. Jay admitted that the production took a backseat and made way for content, which is hard to believe considering the line up of producers, the overall smooth beats and sexy eastern riffs. The subject matter is intentionally focused around relationships. Jay thinks of himself as a good songwriter and not a controversialist. Tracks such as ‘Good Enough’, where he talks about mixed-race relationships, and ‘All or nothing’, which highlights the feeling of resentment after a break-up, are great examples of his universal appeal. My favourite track has to be ‘Easy as 1 2 3′, which reminds me of an urban Jon B on a Ryan Leslie beat.

With all the praise and success, Jay remains as humble and grounded as ever. He is always kidding around on and off the set of video shoots and values the people around him. His live shows are no longer just packed with girls of all ages. The number of guys who enjoy his music seems to have risen too. The girls like him for his freakishly good looks and seductive falsetto voice, and the guys like him for the beat-boxing skills and MC’ing. All in all, I predict this to be a great year for Jay and we at InsideDesi wish him the best of success!

Exclusive pictures from Jay Sean’s signing session in Zavvi are available in our gallery.

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