John-Robert puts his eclectic musical taste on display in ‘Where Do You Wanna Go?’

Recommended Tracks: “Did It Just Because,” “Tethered,” “Anna”
Artists You Might Like: John Mayer, Theo Kandel, Palmer

Whether it’s deciding where to have dinner, choosing a college after high school, or figuring out the perfect destination for your next vacation, there has been a time where you have probably been asked, “Where do you wanna go?” It’s a tough question to answer, and even when you think you have found an answer, you might be tempted to change it to a different one. After John-Robert moved back home to Virginia from LA, he was faced with this question. He previously shared to the press that he had asked himself, “Where do I go musically and professionally from here? Where do I wanna be?” John-Robert ended up answering this question with Where Do You Wanna Go?, his latest EP.

The five-track EP begins with the title track. Here, we are treated to jazzy tones and a sultry style, calmy bringing us into the project. This easy-going production is complete with electric guitar, steady drums, and saxophone, which are set to a relaxed tempo. Over it all, John-Robert sweetly sings, “Where do you wanna go? / I’ll take you there” and “We should get together / Would that be such a bad thing?” Wherever we end up going on this EP, we feel safe with him as our guide.

Listeners are then whisked away to “Did It Just Because” and “Tethered.” If you have ever found yourself in a situation you had no business being in, or where you were a “victim of circumstance” as John-Robert suggests, then “Did It Just Because” is your jam. It has a bit of a disco groove, which adds to the carefree attitude conveyed in the lyrics. John-Robert does not ask for permission or beg for forgiveness as he sings, “I got myself involved / Knew what I was doing” and “I did it just because / I wanted to,” encouraging fans to take a chance. It’s easy to get caught up in your feelings, and John-Robert points this out on “Tethered.” The electric guitar lines drive the track along and add dimension to the casual beats in the background. Meanwhile, John-Robert sings, “You’re all I’ve ever known / Tied to your push and pull,” and observes, “You’re the poison and the cure / The pain and the pleasure,” embracing this connection to its fullest.

The EP’s final two tracks take us back to John-Robert’s familiar sound. We have “Anna,” which captures the singer-songwriter style that John-Robert’s fans know and love. This is the track that plays when the lights have dimmed and the room has cleared out, the track that lends itself to tender love. Accompanied by his electric guitar, John-Robert shares, “Anna, I hope it don’t come as a surprise / See, I’ve been craving you, Anna / You’re what I fantasize.” Desire is the main feeling that comes through, and this feeling takes on a different meaning when we get to “Low Roller.” John-Robert’s Appalachian roots shine on this biographical song, as it influences the straight-forward vocals and the folksy melodies. There is also a live performance quality that makes it extra homey. Throughout, John-Robert reflects on how he “moved back home” to his parents’ place and “got a part-time job at the pizza joint,” painting a small-town scene. In life, you just have to go where you need to, even if it means going back to the start.

All in all, Where Do You Wanna Go? presents us with a variety of genres that suit John-Robert. He can handle jazz and funk just as well as he handles his singer-songwriter ways, getting lost in a soulful beat just as much as he gets lost in an acoustic guitar chord. The EP displays his current interests and tastes, but it doesn’t stray too far from the artist that his fans are familiar with, as John-Robert’s honest songwriting is at the forefront. Where Do You Wanna Go? sets us up for a more confident chapter in John-Robert’s story, and wherever this chapter takes him, it is sure to leave a lasting impression.