Nite Jewel’s “Real High” Is A Tribute To Her R&B Heroes

After the swooning floor-filler, “2 Good 2 Be True,” and the electronic ballad, “The Answer,” Nite Jewel is back with the title track off of her upcoming album, Real High. It’s a soft-focus slice of bedroom pop that references both Mary J. Blige and Janet Jackson classics in its emotive hook. Incorporating lyrics from “Real Love” and “That’s The Way Love Goes” was a distinctly personal touch for the L.A.-based singer-songwriter, also known as Ramona Gonzalez. “I listened to them throughout my childhood,” she told NYLON, “so it was so easy to invoke. I love the way that these women were tough but in touch with their sexuality and [knew] what it’s like to be feminine.” 

Despite the track’s glittering exterior, there’s an underlying yearning in Gonzalez’ dulcet tones. For her, this darker edge is emblematic of the album’s contradictions. “All of these songs are about what it is to love somebody else, but itis called 'Real High,'” she said. “It’s about being a fucked-up crazy person and getting fucked up all the time and being a narcissist and being into the rollercoaster of life.” Real High is outMay 5, so you have plenty of time to dive into her heady, intoxicating world. Listen to “Real High,” below. 

Nite Jewel Tour Dates:

5-20 - Los Angeles, CA - The Getty Center

5-24 - Bucharest, RO - Control Club

5-25 - Vienna, AT - Hyperreality

5-26 - Rome, IT - Spring Attitude Festival

5-27 - Ancona, IT - Loop

5-28 - Padova, IT - Student Summer Festival

5-29 - Livomo, IT - Aurora

5-30 - Bologna, IT - Freakout

5-31 - Milan - Secret Showcase

6-01 - Baden, CH - Werkk

6-04 - London, UK - Camden Assembly

6-08 - Paris, FR - Le Point Ephemere

6-09 - Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso

6-10 - Rotterdam, NL - V11

7-07 - San Francisco, CA - Rickshaw Stop *

7-08 - Portland OR - Doug Fir [tix] *

7-09 - Seattle WA - Barboza *

7-11 - Vancouver, BC - Fox Cabaret *

7-13 - Boise, ID - Neurolux *

7-14 - Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge *

7-17 - Denver, CO - Lost Lake *

7-18 - Minneapolis, MN - 7th St Entry *

7-19 - Chicago, IL - Chop Stop *

7-20 - Grand Rapids, MI - The Pyramid Scheme *

7-21 - Toronto, ON - Baby G *

7-22 - Montreal, QC - Vitrola *

7-25 - Burlington, VT - Arts Riot *

7-26 - Boston, MA - ONCE *

7-27 - Brooklyn NY - BK Bazaar *

7-28 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenca's *

7-29 - Washington, DC - Rock n Roll Hotel *

7-31 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade *

8-01 - New Orleans, LA - Gasa Gasa *

8-04 - Austin, TX - Sidewinder *

8-05 - McCallen, TX - Yerberia Cultura *

8-10 - Phoenix, AZ - Crescent Ballroom *

8-12 - Los Angeles, CA - Teragram Ballroom *

* w/ Geneva Jacuzzi & Harriet Brown