After years of quietly crafting his sound, London-raised artist Kamar Jay is finally stepping into the spotlight with his official debut single, ‘Move On’. Dropping on Friday, November 28th this year, the track is the first taste of his eagerly awaited debut album, ‘...up until now’, scheduled for release on May 29th, 2026.
‘Move On’ is a mid-tempo slice of R&B and Electro-Pop that immediately transports you back to the golden age of 90s radio. With a sonic vibe that echoes the slick, bass-heavy grooves of classic cuts like Aaliyah’s 'Are You That Somebody', TLC’s 'No Scrubs', and Ginuwine’s 'Pony', the single perfectly nails that throwback aesthetic while still feeling completely fresh.
But while the music provides the perfect nostalgic backdrop, Kamar ensures the lyrical content hits with contemporary urgency. "I didn’t want this song to be a ballad," Kamar states. "I wanted it to slot easily into a 90s playlist, the sort you’d put on at a house party, but I also wanted it to pack a punch with the lyrics once you started paying attention." That punch comes from a place of deep reflection on personal well-being.
Kamar shares the emotional core of the song: “I was deeply inspired to record this song after reflecting on the ways in which many of us need to set boundaries in order to protect our mind, our mental state. I wanted to explore how easy it is for us to let our struggles affect us, even when we make a conscious effort to stop our secular life from destroying our wellbeing.”
This focus on personal history is set to define his upcoming full-length project. After spending the first two decades of his life soaking up the multi-genre soundscapes of London, England, Kamar relocated to the USA over a decade ago, where he has been meticulously compiling his experiences into music. The result, ...up until now, is a sprawling collection of songs covering everything from trauma and family to his wide-ranging musical influences.
"The album is a reflection of everything I’ve been through, as well as the trauma myself and my family have experienced," he explains. "I want to share an array of sounds that influence my music, from R&B to Indie Pop, West Coast Hip Hop to Garage, Chamber Pop to Afrobeat and more, all being linked together by a coherent story. This album is a full reflection of me, no holds barred.”
With 'Move On', Kamar Jay has served up an instantly accessible anthem that pairs a killer groove with a crucial message of self-preservation. It’s an essential addition to any throwback playlist and a promising first chapter for this compelling new voice in R&B.
For more from Kamar Jay, join him today on Bandcamp, TikTok, and Instagram.
