Artist: The Rockin’ Krolik
EP: Shedding Skin
Release Date: February 29, 2024
Genre: Pop
Nearly three years in the making, Shedding Skin, the new six-song EP by Ajax, ON-based The Rockin’ Krolik (a.k.a. J.F. Perotin) is a raw examination of past relationships, personal growth, loss of loved ones, and addiction.
It’s the kind of album you make when you’ve turned 52, as Perotin did this year, and you have some of the hard-earned wisdom and maturity to formulate something deeply meaningful – and relatable.
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With soulful melodies and deep lyrics, Shedding Skin becomes a profound journey that resonates within the listener, reflecting human emotions and experiences. Each track acts as a mirror, urging introspection and self-exploration.
The opening song, “W.Y.K.Y.K” takes the listener on a captivating exploration of the complexities of attraction and the push-and-pull dynamics inherent in relationships. The repeated use of “when you know you know,” adds a mysterious touch to the song, emphasizing the intense feelings involved. The chorus reinforces the idea of feeling this attraction deeply, down to the core. The song paints a vivid picture of the complexities of attraction and the struggle to resist it, making it an engaging listen.
“In short, it’s being tuned in to the energy of the universe and what you perceive when interacting with people – it’s all magnetism,” Perotin muses. “Ebbs and flows, tension and release.” And then the song brings in the strings for an epic, purifying ending.
“Tie Me Up” evokes imagery of sand slipping through hands like an hourglass sets the tone for a contemplative exploration of the transient nature of life and relationships. The song expresses a strong longing to preserve fleeting moments, highlighting the value of time spent with loved ones. It serves as a reflective meditation on the passage of time, the ephemeral quality of moments, and the yearning to cherish them amidst the unstoppable flow of time.
“It’s about coming to a point in your life where you know there is no stopping it or slowing it down,” he explains.
“Say It” examines those moments in life when we can’t find the courage to say the things we want to say. It’s about missed opportunities and lost loves and the little wistful pangs inside the heart of anyone who’s lived for a while. A choir breathes extra life and soaring poignance into the track, turning it into a tearjerker.
The soulful, percussive “Numb in the Rain” contemplates addiction and numbing escape.
“We all have our demons, and all have stuff going on in our lives that we think we can’t cope with,” Perotin acknowledges. “There is a way out, although the song doesn’t give that sense of hope – on purpose.”
“I Need A Change” swiftly encapsulates the sensation of feeling trapped in a repetitive cycle, craving freedom. The urgent chorus reflects the protagonist’s desperate desire to break free from their confinements, highlighting a profound realization of self-imposed limitations. Through emotive lyrics and expressive vocals, the song resonates with listeners, capturing the universal yearning for growth and transformation.
“Really drives me mad to feel I’m being held back,” Perotin admits. “I support myself and my family with a 9-to-5 job but my heart is with my art 98 percent of the time.”
Shimmering with naked bravery reminiscent of James Taylor, “The Sand On My Toes” is a song Perotin always gets emotional singing.
“Yeah, I know I’m weird crying to my own song, eh?,” he says, chuckling. But it’s a deeply personal piece, infused with conflicting feelings of love and resentment for his father, who passed. “Because he’s gone, although some questions are left unanswered there’s acceptance of the discomfort and ultimately no denying he lives in me somehow.”
Overall, Shedding Skin presents a varied and heartfelt collection that explores the depth of human emotions and experiences. The EP guides listeners through a journey of self-discovery and introspection, offering solace and connection through relatable tales of life’s ups and downs.