If you were ever curious as to what it would sound like if Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon were to try his hand at R&B, you’ll find the answer in JMR’s debut single “Pioneer of Your Heart.”  With his sophomore album American Hell slated for release at the beginning of May, JMR leaves expectations high after the dropping of his single.

JMR shared a while back on Facebook that singer-songwriter Ray Lamontagne has served as his biggest influence.  “He taught me to feel when I use my voice and shut out the room,” and that’s exactly what JMR does in the “Pioneer of Your Heart” video, filmed and produced by Nashville’s Back Down South Films.

One of my favorite parts, besides the look of the video and the way it was shot (WOW) happens around the three-minute mark when JMR seamlessly transitions back and forth between soft falsettos and soulful tones.  If this single serves as any indication as to where JMR is headed with his music, I can’t say I expect anyone to be left disappointed.

– Bailey Basham

JMR- ‘Pioneer of Your Heart’