Keys & The Never Before release new song inspired by Langston Hughes

Keys & The Never Before, the new(ish) project of Jeremy Keys of Hardwork Movement, has just released a new track, “Crystal Stairs.” Keys has been putting out work under this new project for about a year, but “Crystal Stairs” is the first in a series of releases that will lead up to a big project Keys has planned for May.

Produced by Aqeel Adams, the track shows off Keys’ velvety vocals. The synth-pop beat is laid-back and provides the perfect spacious, breezy backdrop. As Keys explains in an email, the track’s meaning draws inspiration from a few different places.

The track is actually one I wrote a while ago and is inspired by that famous Langston Hughes poem “Mother to Son” along with some of my own experiences.

Keys takes the title from the repeated line in the poem: “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.” In a broad sense the song is a contemplation of what it means to always be striving for your dreams, and the anxiety and stress that can come with that.

Listen to “Crystal Stairs” below. More content will be coming soon from Keys & The Never Before; you keep up-to-date on new releases over on Instagram or Twitter.