For Armon Jay, the making of his new album, Everything’s Different, Nothing’s Changed, was a two-year journey from darkness into sunlight, from what he calls desolation to consolation, the culmination of sleepless nights where he saw his faith tested, but his hope ultimately restored, through a set of songs that speaks from the very core of his being.
From the pain of “Edge of the Dark” and “Flight from Sorrow” to the breakthrough of “The Harvest” and “Carry Through,” from the painful self-awareness of “To Be Honest” and “I’m Not Home Yet” to the optimism of “Tomorrow” and “Sunlight,” neatly summarized by the transparently autobiographical title track, Armon Jay lets us glimpse his deepest fears and darkest anxieties, while pointing the way towards salvation. “It’s like I’m stuck in between the cure and the disease,” he sings. “I’m walking straight just in a crooked way.”
Thanks to raising close to $14,000 on Kickstarter from family and friends, Armon was able to travel to producer Joshua James’ idyllic Willamette Mountain on a one-acre farm against the beautiful backdrop of American Fork, Utah, to record the album in two eventful weeks. James, introduced to Armon Jay by mutual friend, singer/songwriter Noah Gunderson, proved a valuable partner, not just producing the album, but serving as “farmer, mountain climber, goat herder, high-tailin’ bike rider and a bit of a wild man,” helping Armon get over his fear of heights as well as failure. The album was mixed in Los Angeles by Todd Burke, who has worked with the likes of Ben Harper and Jack Johnson in his Monrovia studio.
“Joshua is all about creating an atmosphere that inspires genuine and real creativity,” says Armon. “He also has a phenomenal group of musicians on call—his own secret weapon for making great records. We hit the ground running. He just said, ‘If you’re going to sing the song, sing it.’ Almost every track on the record started with just an acoustic guitar and vocal performance and then we built from there.”
“It’s time to come back home/Make right what I made wrong/And it’s time to carry on/And live again.” “Flight from Sorrow”
The Chattanooga, Tennessee-born Armon’s father was a portrait painter (“An ‘eccentric’ artist like me,” he adds), who plucked out songs by Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson on a guitar, while his mom, who used to sing around the house, introduced him to the likes of Whitney Houston and Kenny Loggins on the tape deck of the family’s ’89 Buick. Armon sheepishly admits to plinking out the theme to the movie Titanic on the piano by ear before picking up a guitar at 12 and starting to write songs two years later.
After a stint with a major-label Christian band signed to Sony Music’s Provident Label Group, Armon decided he needed to go in a different direction, prompted by a personal crisis that had him terrified to fall asleep at night, questioning his own inability to live up to his ideals, not least of which was a pack-a-day smoking habit he still hasn’t broken.
In that season of internal conflict, his questioning led him to the realization that it was time to “shed the skin” of any preconceived genre label before he felt he could freely move forward. That eventually prompted the decision to redefine his artistry, and begin using his real first and middle name.
“I’ve learned to be careful not to create walls that interfere with the ability of music and art to connect with anyone. Attaching that strong of a label leaves too much room for one to assume that my music is only intended for a certain group,” says the artist formerly known as AJ Cheek. “A song can have so many different layers of meanings for different people. It’s such a precious and beautiful thing, the fact that we all can find a common ground through the language of art and music. But, it all has to come from a genuine place. I can’t muster up the truth. It already exists. I just have to tell it, and it’s up to the listener with how they choose to receive it.”
“It’s the fear of living with/The man I might become” “To Be Honest”
Armon owes his personal and creative breakthrough to finally being correctly diagnosed with Adult ADD and getting married last summer. “I was trying to grow into a man without understanding how my brain works,” he explains. “Learning what I was suffering from was a game-changer because I realized I wasn’t the only one dealing with this sort of thing. The more I let go of trying to be in control, the better I felt. And I couldn’t have done it without the help of my beautiful wife.”
Armon is particularly proud of the album’s centerpiece, the title track, which measures the gap between the man he is, the kind of man he wants to be, and learning to accept the difference. “I will wait…for you,” the song concludes.
“The stars just aligned and I was able to communicate exactly what I wanted,” says Armon of the cut. “If I never write another song nor play another note, if it all ends tomorrow, I’m OK with it, having written this one. You have to realize, whatever goes down, good or bad, your DNA is still your DNA. It’s what makes you unique, and I just accepted that.”
“In the sunlight/Breaking out from the inside/Cause now I can see for the first time” “Sunlight”
Armon found Dutch illustrator Anton Van Hertbruggen’s work on an art bloggers website, and immediately texted him to see if he were interested in creating the cover and inside sleeve art for the new album. After a series of back-and-forth email exchanges, Van Hertbruggen then submitted two original pieces depicting the record’s theme of light traveling into dark. From finding producer Joshua James to discovering the right artwork, Armon has taken a truly modern DIY approach to his first full-length solo album. And if he’s not totally cured of all his mental phobias, the very existence of Everything’s Different, Nothing’s Changed is proof of its therapeutic value—not just for Armon Jay, but any listener who finds himself in a similar place, which, in case you didn’t realize it, is most of us. Armon Jay’s message is that there are second chances which offer the opportunity for redemption.
“It’s been quite a trip,” adds Armon. “But the most liberating thing is to be able to walk in my own skin, whatever that means…the good, the bad or the ugly. And not follow what somebody else thinks I should be. I don’t have to hide my sickness in the dark anymore. This is me. Nothing’s changed.. Even if everything’s different.”
“For I write the words inside my heart/And I’ll keep moving” “The Harvest”
Half Life
Armon Jay Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I’m feeling weird
All of my self control has disappeared
I think I’m having a panic attack
And I’m trying to ignore it but I can’t relax
And I’ve never been good at faking
Maybe I’ll Call a help line
Feel bad for feeling better, cause I’d rather feel alone
Somewhere quiet, comfortable and uninspired
Or just enough to pass the time
A lackluster half life
My phone is ringing but I don’t wanna talk
It’s hard enough for me to keep up with my own internal dialogue
Sure, I could think of some dumb excuse
A little white lie, something half true
But with how I sound it would be hard to believe it
Maybe I’ll Call a help line
And hang up at hello
Feel bad for feeling better, cause I’d rather feel alone
Somewhere quiet, comfortable and uninspired
Or just enough to pass the time
A lackluster half life
And I’m so close
A stones throw from living
Living a life worth living
And living it right
But I’m so close to giving up on trying if I’m just living to die
Living to die
I’m so close
A stones throw from living
Living a life worth living
And living it right
But I’m so close to giving up on trying if I’m just living to die
Living to die
I’m living to die
Living to die
I’m living to die
Living to die
Maybe I’ll Call a help line
And hang up at hello
Feel bad for feeling better, cause I’d rather feel alone
Somewhere quiet, comfortable and uninspired
Or just enough to pass the time
A lackluster half life
Lackluster half life
Lackluster half life
The lyrics of Armon Jay's song "Half Life" explore the emotions and struggles of someone going through a difficult time, particularly dealing with anxiety and the feeling of being disconnected from others. The singer describes feeling dizzy and weird, indicating a sense of disorientation and unease. They acknowledge that their self-control seems to have disappeared and that they may be experiencing a panic attack. Despite trying to ignore it, they are unable to relax.
The singer contemplates calling a help line for support but feels conflicted about feeling better because they would rather be alone. They long for a quiet, comfortable, and uninspiring place where they can pass the time, suggesting a desire to escape from the pressures and expectations of the outside world. They admit that they are not good at faking their emotions, which implies a struggle with authenticity and hiding their true feelings from others.
The song also touches on the singer's reluctance to engage in conversation, even with their own internal thoughts. They express the difficulty of keeping up with their own thoughts, indicating a heightened state of anxiety. The singer acknowledges that they could come up with excuses or lies to avoid communication, but their emotional state would make it hard for anyone to believe them.
In the final verses, the singer reflects on the possibility of living a fulfilling life, emphasizing that they are so close to finding purpose and living it right. However, they also express the fear of giving up on trying if life ultimately leads to death. The repetition of "living to die" suggests a sense of hopelessness and a struggle to find meaning in existence.
Overall, "Half Life" provides a glimpse into the inner turmoil and longing for connection experienced by someone grappling with anxiety and a sense of emptiness.
Line by Line Meaning
I’m feeling dizzy
I am experiencing a disorienting sensation
I’m feeling weird
I am experiencing an uncomfortable and unfamiliar state
All of my self control has disappeared
I have lost the ability to regulate my emotions and actions
I think I’m having a panic attack
I believe I am experiencing an overwhelming surge of anxiety
And I’m trying to ignore it but I can’t relax
I am attempting to suppress my anxiety, but I am unable to find calmness
And I’ve never been good at faking
I have never been skilled at pretending or concealing my true emotions
Maybe I’ll Call a help line
Perhaps I should reach out to a helpline for support
And hang up at hello
However, I might hang up immediately upon hearing a response
Feel bad for feeling better, cause I’d rather feel alone
I feel guilty for finding solace, as I prefer being in isolation
Somewhere quiet, comfortable and uninspired
I desire a calm and familiar environment, devoid of motivation
Or just enough to pass the time
Alternatively, I seek activities that merely help me occupy my days
A lackluster half life
My existence feels dull and unfulfilling, lacking joy and purpose
My phone is ringing but I don’t wanna talk
Although my phone is receiving calls, I have no desire to engage in conversations
It’s hard enough for me to keep up with my own internal dialogue
I struggle to maintain coherence within my own thoughts and feelings
Sure, I could think of some dumb excuse
Certainly, I could come up with a silly explanation
A little white lie, something half true
I might tell a small deceptive statement, partially rooted in reality
But with how I sound it would be hard to believe it
Considering my tone and demeanor, it would be difficult for others to find my explanation credible
And I’m so close
I am in close proximity
A stones throw from living
Just a short distance away from truly experiencing life
Living a life worth living
Leading a meaningful and fulfilling existence
And living it right
Engaging in actions that align with my values and aspirations
But I’m so close to giving up on trying if I’m just living to die
However, I am on the verge of relinquishing my efforts if my existence is merely an existence without purpose
I’m living to die
My current state resembles only an existence leading to eventual death
Maybe I’ll Call a help line
Perhaps I should reach out to a helpline for support
And hang up at hello
However, I might hang up immediately upon hearing a response
Feel bad for feeling better, cause I’d rather feel alone
I feel guilty for finding solace, as I prefer being in isolation
Somewhere quiet, comfortable and uninspired
I desire a calm and familiar environment, devoid of motivation
Or just enough to pass the time
Alternatively, I seek activities that merely help me occupy my days
A lackluster half life
My existence feels dull and unfulfilling, lacking joy and purpose
Lackluster half life
An ineffective and unremarkable existence
Lackluster half life
A mediocre and unsatisfying way of living
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Armon Jay Cheek
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jay Alvaler
This guy has a talent i love his music style 🖤
Nikki Dokh
You’re amazing. Such an angelic voice❤️