Javi Jimenez Shares Intimate Single, ‘HSL’

Costa Rican indie pop artist, Javi Jimenez talks with us, all about his first single release, ‘HSL’ from his upcoming EP, ‘Lovely’.

Javi had released three heart-breaking ballads filled with personal lyrics, dreamy guitars and massive sounding drums and led him to be nominated for Best New Artist in the 2021 edition of Costa Rica’s ACAM Awards.

The nostalgic pop ballad, ‘HSL’, standing for High School Love, is the first single release from Javi Jimenez’s upcoming EP, ‘Lovely’ and he says that this is his most intimate single release to date.

With a vibe likened to artists such as LANY, The 1975 and Coldplay, Javi worked with guitarist Alberto Álvarez and producers Pablo Ocampo and Mario Miranda, to create the emotional track that you hear with ‘HSL’.

“I don’t consider it a love song or heartbreak song, but rather a calm look back at a relationship that literally felt like magic. There’s nothing quite like your first love and your first kiss, it’s magical.”

As you feel the mix of light piano, electric guitar sounds and syncopated beats, you will be captivated by the stunning sounds of Javi’s emotional and storytelling lyrics.

You can listen to ‘HSL’ below:

Would you like to start by telling us a little about yourself?

For sure! My name is Javi Jimenez, I’m 23 years old and currently living in Costa Rica.

I’m about to release my debut EP on 2022 and I’m super excited for all the new stuff coming up.

I’m working hard to have lots of music and content constantly coming out.

What was it that first inspired you to begin a career in music?

I’m not sure I know exactly what was the specific thing that made my mind.

I always dreamed of being a musician! I started playing guitar at around 8 years old and since I wrote my first song I was just fixed on the idea of being a superstar lol I played anywhere I could…

I played in bands as a singer, guitarist and a drummer, I sang in the school choir and even had a couple years in the orchestra.

It’s always been something I loved.

I feel like the decision was never consciously made, but kind of just always there, like I always knew what I really wanted to do with my life.

How would you describe the feel of your music?

It’s a generally chill sound but full of emotion.

Very guitar driven and definitely using a lot of digital sounds and effects in production, making it a bit more fresh than if it were only the good old “guitars, bass and drums”.

We have so much music available to us at any time that genres aren’t really a thing anymore, so I try not to limit myself when making new songs but you can expect some LANY, The 1975 and Coldplay vibes in there.

You have recently released your single, ‘HSL’.. what was the inspiration behind the creation of this track?

My first love.

I wanted to make a song that wasn’t fully heartbreak, or fully “in love” either.

I needed a song that felt more mature, like feeling happy and glad that it happened, but not trying to get back together or saying I feel sad, just remembering and feeling at peace with how it all turned out.

What does ‘HSL’ mean to you?

It’s extremely special to me.

It’s the first song I’ve ever released that is 100% based on my personal experience.

I tend to mix fiction and reality while writing, but this one is just me being honest.

The lyrics are kind of codewords and inside jokes that only me and her would be able to understand so it was intimidating actually releasing it, I didn’t know if people would be able to relate to it, but it’s so important to me that I felt like it may be special for someone else out there who might give their own personal meaning to the lyrics and I think that is the coolest thing.

The single is off your upcoming EP, ‘Lovely’.. are you able to tell us a little of what we can expect from your EP?

There’s definitely a variety of sounds, very The 1975 of me, haha.

These songs are all much more mature in songwriting and production, we didn’t want to rush anything so we avoided deadlines and just focused on making the best we could.

It took a whole year to finish. It touches on love, toxic love, heartbreak, loneliness and nostalgia.

What did the creative process look like for your song?

It’s the longest it’s ever taken me to write a song from start to finish, surprisingly. I wanted it all to be just right.

I wrote three different versions with different lyrics and title and finally decided on the version you hear now.

I actually was still writing as we were recording, the bridge was written basically on the spot at the studio as we were recording vocals, up to that point it was instrumental.

Where do you find your inspiration for your music?

Everywhere.

I try to be open all the time to things I find cool and interesting and record little voice notes when I come up with a cool hook or melody.

I write down ideas just so I don’t forget and put them together later to try and make a song.

I don’t wait for inspiration though, sometimes you just have to sit down and do your work in order for inspiration to find you.

It’s like fishing… you’re more likely to catch a fish if the line is in the water.

So I sit down and try to write almost every day, sometimes it’s bad… but the times that it’s good I’m ready for it, the line’s in the water.

Oh! And also the sky! The sky is just so inspiring. Sunsets are like my fuel, hahaha.

What would you like to see happen for you in your music from here?

My biggest goal right now is to get to be able to tour US/Canada.

In order to do that, I need to start building an audience and fanbase there so I would love to reach more people in North America.

If you’re reading this and you’re US/Canada based (and you like my music), be sure to share with a friend and hopefully I’ll see you soon at a live gig!

What is one message you would like to share with your fans?

I love you so so much.

It’s super scary to put out music as a solo artist, being vulnerable and sharing your valued creations is intimidating, but having your support and love is amazing.

I read every single DM, comment and tweet and they mean the world to me. 

Where can people find your music?

I’m on Spotify, Soundcloud, Apple Music (is it iTunes? Idk), YouTube, Pandora, Amazon Music, etc. you name it, I’m probably there!