You might’ve heard house and you’ve definitely heard jazz, but have you heard the magic of jazz house?

Bolden., the brainchild of musicians Reuben Barrett and Catherine Rannus, describes their music as “a new path for modern jazz and electronic fusion.”

Admittedly, this branch of “jazz house” isn’t exactly new – but it is constantly evolving and gaining momentum, especially in New York City. I hear it pretty regularly in dimly lit coffee shops, wine bars and hotel lobbies that smell like bergamot.

Two years ago, I saw Berlioz at an absolutely packed Brooklyn Paramount and later checked Instagram to see an old friend from high school made the (insane) two hour commute from New Jersey just to see the show.

All this to say, Bolden.’s seemingly rapid success isn’t surprising. In about two years, the group has amassed almost a million monthly listeners on Spotify. Their most popular song, “Talk to Me” earned a whopping 31 million streams and counting.

And sure, the songs sound similar in a way that some might call “repetitive.” For fans of the genre, though, I think it makes total sense.

Part of Bolden.’s appeal is that their music is so easy to listen to. With so few lyrics, you can throw on an album while working and still stay focused. You listen to them during your morning walk or your evening bath.

With their new album, Who you really are., listeners have even more jazz fusion options from the UK-based duo.

Who you really are. - Bolden. — Who you really are. – Bolden.

Some Who you really are. songs are a bit more bold, pun intended, than others. “Awakening” is an almost ominous introduction, with a gothic minor piano melody that drives the song. By contrast, the pluckiness of “Where to” reminds me almost of Pixar’s Inside Out soundtrack or, if we want to get really specific, the World Celebration area of Epcot.

A personal favorite track is “Echos of Miami,” which really helps capture the band’s overall sound and aesthetic. It’s mostly a funky beat, a keyboard, and a groovin’ saxophone. What more do you need?

Recently, the band detailed the inspiration behind their new songs on social media.

“We wrote ‘Go together’ based on an old saying: If you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together,” they wrote on Instagram. “It’s our reminder that we choose to go far. This track is for the ones standing by you through every step of the journey.”

Not every track is an instrumental, though. Sometimes there’s an almost poetic, spoken word element introduced. With 2025’s “Would appear to be jazz,” it helps move the story along and also gives listeners a glimpse into the minds of these artists.

“The music genre with the largest problem
With sex discrimination would appears to be jazz
In general women have to prove themselves
As being good musicians to be respected
Which is not the case for men.”

– “Would appear to be jazz.,” Bolden.

With the new album, Bolden. mostly stick to what they do best. It’s easy, it’s effortless, it’s sexy, and it’s relaxing. For someone like me, who constantly needs music in the background to feel complete, it’s just what the doctor ordered.

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