Jake Trevor Premieres His Reflective “Should I” Music Video

So much of being a successful musician nowadays is taking matters into your own hands, which Jake Trevor has skillfully done. Today, he unveils the music video for his new single “Should I.” The song is from his full-length debut record, JAKE TREVOR, which will be released on May 24th.

“Should I” accomplishes what every great debut album’s first single should: define the artist and make a firm statement to the listening audience. Trevor demonstrates a real emotional depth and vulnerability with heartfelt lyrics and a voice that will move you. The song discusses the feeling of being overwhelmed and the uncertainty of how to proceed.

The “Should I” music video was shot on a cold, foggy, and rainy morning in January on Governors Island in Manhattan and the historical structures around Fort Jay. For a debut music video, it is a stunning display!

Discussing the video, Trevor tells us:

“I shot and edited the music video by myself. I chose Governors Island here in NYC as the shooting location because of the history and feeling of isolation. It’s an old military base from the Revolutionary War days, now a park. It goes well with the mood and the seriousness of the song. It was a cold (35 degrees!) morning. I filmed until my phone died. Then I took the ferry back to Manhattan. It’s my first music video, and I’m super proud of it!”

Contextualizing the song, Trevor adds:

“It’s a vulnerable and moody song, with an energy similar to Adele’s earlier ballads or ‘Without You’ by Harry Nilsson. This was the last song I recorded vocals for after an eight-hour day in the studio, and we captured this in a single take.”

Jake Trevor “Should I” single artwork

Commenting on the song and its inspirations, he states:

“‘Should I’ is very much about my own life and growing up. After leaving my family (who was, and still is, fundamentally religious and homophobic), I moved to NYC to make my dreams come true.

“‘Should I’ speaks to the pressures of life and the difficulties I faced while adjusting to a ‘normal life.’ It was so unlike what I was used to with my family. I had to learn how to be social. How to fit in. How to make friends… and I’m still trying every day! This is me putting all of these feelings into a song. It’s me pouring my heart out.

“We only have one life to live. We’re actively dying, so you have to live. There’s an urgency when I sing ‘What would you do / if you had one day left to live / who would you love / if your heart had one last chance,’ and I’m reminded of it every day.

For a debut, Trevor’s record features an expansive, evolved sound. There is more piano balladry, like what you hear on “Should I.” But it also has more electropop-type club tracks, coffeehouse folk, and more soulful indie pop. There are very sad moments, but also very jubilant ones. Topics he covers include family, religion, love, sex, and homophobia. At times it is empowering, but there is also a little room left for rebellion in there.

Producer Elliott Lanam was really instrumental in helping Trevor in fully realizing his passion. Lanam is highly regarded for his work on the hit Katy Perry record Prism. Trevor joined Lanam at his studio in Santa Barbara and the two of them discovered an instant chemistry. They set out to create a diverse but relatable album and ended up hitting the mark. You may laugh, cry, or want to dance, but all in all, Trevor will make you feel something which satisfies him just fine.

JAKE TREVOR Track Listing:

1. Should I
2. Best Love
3. Gotta Let Go
4. Coffee and Wine
5. DRESS
6. Father Don’t Forgive Me
7. Boyfriend
8. Bounce Bounce
9. Paradise Lost
10. Safety

Jake Trevor ‘Jake Trevor’ album artwork