The Last One Standing by Jeremy James Whitaker
Thoughts about an electronic album that could potentially be a highlight of 2025.
Hi Pal,
Welcome to today’s newsletter. I hope you had a lovely week.
I’ve often described Jeremy James Whitaker’s music as experimental electronica because, over the years, the breadth of expressions he has been able to create in this genre ranges from explosive big synth tunes to minimalistic soothing listening experiences. For some reason, I felt we would never get a cohesive LP from him, as I assumed his creative style was more suited for singles or compilation projects. So you can imagine my surprise when I got the message about the release of The Last One Standing.
My big question going into this journey was: can his creative approach work for a concept record? Let’s find out.
The album begins with “Waiting”, a song that, from a lyrical standpoint, acts as a backdrop for the themes that Whitaker will explore on this project.
Is it all about the coolest sounds
Or is it all about how I’m feeling now
And will it answer the questions that I have
Will it give me back the time that I spent
Just waiting…
It’s a tune that expresses his desire to create music that gives language to inner turmoil and emotions while still wanting to produce something that he describes as “the coolest”. It begins with ambient sounds and gradually builds into a warm piano and acoustic fill before closing out with a catchy dubstep-esque sample.
“The Last One Standing” is an electropop tune. It’s progressive and has a muted, frantic energy about it that explodes into big synths. I also adore the synth fills on the chorus that feel like something from a '90s videogame. The contrast between the moods of the chorus and the verses accentuates the underlying desperation that the lyrics convey, as he sings.
One more thought, and there’s a way out
Just another thing I say now
Always flight and never find out
Who I really am inside myself…
Emotionally, this title track, along with the intro song are foundation for the rest of the journey to build on. They aren’t overly specific in the themes they address, but they give a bird’s-eye view into the inner world of the central character of this narrative. “I Don’t Feel The Same” leans heavily into hyperpop soundscapes and features O2solus. It’s a song that speaks about the process of change and how it can be unnoticeable on the outside initially because it begins with a shift in how we feel about things. It also concludes with an acknowledgement of God being the one who truly knows what is happening on our insides, even before we do.
Sometimes, an early single just happens to be one of the best songs on the album. It doesn’t mean all the other songs are bad; it just means that the artist struck gold and put their best foot forward in the build-up to the release of a project. That is how I feel about “Hindsight” every time I listen to it. Michaela Whitaker makes this song what it is, and her vocals here made me wish she released more music. It’s also one of those songs that sounds happy but has a deep and heavy message.
…I thought I was ahead
But now I feel behind
I’ve spent too much time
Fine with being blind…
I’d had a few private dance sessions with the song before I came to appreciate how Jeremy communicated a sentiment that most people can relate to in such a creative manner. “U Love, U Discipline” features Amariah, and it’s one of the lyrical gems of the album. It’s a song inspired by various portions of scripture — from John 15 and Hebrews 12 to the story of Moses striking the rock in Numbers 20 — that reminds us that discipline is a component of God’s love. It’s a necessary sober moment on the album, worthy of reflection, while maintaining his signature synth flairs.
“Strange!” is the most fun song on the LP conceptually. I love how Jeremy works the pre-chorus to start from a playful anecdote and leads us into a deeper conversation.
I can't hit the notes I set for myself
They're way too high
(Key of E flat major, man)
I can't hit the goals I set for myself
They're way too high
Every lofty goal I had falls short
Every lofty goal I had is all the same
Before the ultimate sacrifice of Your Son
For the glory of Your name, I'll still say…
Being the music nerd I am, I had to check, and of course, the song is in E flat major. Listening to him exert the effort to hit the notes on the chorus, it is a fun play on words to see him connect this seemingly silly idea to the practical teachings of surrender to God through Christ and the ways we have to let go of our plans.
This year, most of the projects dear to me have had an element of vulnerability in our relationship with God and our need to let Him in on our pain and suffering. “You’re Listening” features Michael Amoguis and carries that message. It’s an acoustic tune with electronic fills, warm keys and a brief spoken word section that is so visceral, it cuts me down to my core. It is objectively my favourite song on this album.
“I Can’t Let Go” starts the second half of the album and acts as an interlude leading into the next tune. If you’re looking for electronica with dance elements, “Feeling” is the tune that sticks to the purity of that sonic definition the most on this LP. It’s a testament to Whitaker’s prowess in this genre, and I’ve grown to love it the more I’ve listened.
“Spotlight” blends alternative R&B sensibilities with an electropop core. It features Noland, and it’s a testament to the love of God and His commitment to us even when we lose our way. It’s quite prodigal-son-esque in its lyrical approach, and I must say that Noland knocks the vocals out of the park.
“Will It Just Happen (How Will You Ever Know)” is a spoken word tune and is the most experimental tune here. It begins with a heartfelt and honest monologue from Whitaker speaking on real issues in his life and the quest for peace and rest. I regard “You're Listening” as the album's central emotional moment from a divine viewpoint. This track mirrors that intensity from a human standpoint, creating a deliberate balance between the two perspectives.
“Guide Us Home” features Jaisua; it’s a song that blends both their unique styles. Jeremy’s inclinations towards minimalistic acoustic electronica and Jaisua’s love for hip-hop combine to create a song of hope and a prayer for direction. “Run” features Andre DeLaney and is inspired directly from Hebrews 12:1. It is a simple song that interprets running as both the race that we are to run in the Kingdom of God and our running towards God when we falter and need His grace and mercy. The song is simple and direct in its approach and message, and those qualities make it endearing to me.
“What If It’s Just For You” marks the end of this album and once again features Michaela Whitaker. It’s a song that speaks about the motivation for creating music (and art in general) and addresses the need for an audience in a creative’s mindset. With poignant lyrics like, “…will I be fulfilled if no one sees it?/It’s harder to admit that I might need it/Why should I create if I’ll be forgotten?/Will it be the answer to all I wanted?…”, it feels like an odd place to leave the album but Whitaker resolves this inner conflict towards the end with a declaration that its all for God. This declaration is a bookend that works for the album’s themes, creative projects in general and finding fulfilment in life itself.
To answer the question I asked at the start of this review, Jeremy James Whitaker’s creative style works well for a concept record.
Having followed his music for a long time and being a devoted fan of the genre, his skill and comprehension were never in question. My main concern was whether he could maintain the discipline needed to craft a project that was both conceptually and thematically unified, yet still give room for expressive and dynamic execution. This project could have easily become an overstuffed and disorganised collection of promising concepts, and I'm relieved that this is not the case. Jeremy James Whitaker did a great job with this one, and I’m grateful to be able to experience this art.
Genre(s): Fusion Electronica
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That’s it for today.
Catch you soon!
Feel free to leave a comment. Also, I am always open to hearing from you, so feel free to send an email to me at stismavo@gmail.com