Jean Deaux - Most Wanted (Deluxe) (2022) Hi-Res

The dutchess of the south is back with a new EP, bringing together a sound so consistent and chill that no late-night car ride will be left without a soundtrack.

Jean Deaux (pronounced: “Parmesan Dough without the Parme u feel me. Jane would be incorrect”) is a Chicago native that’s been blissfully associated with a multitude of acts and time-defying albums, but has been painstakingly underrated within her own lane of music.

First appearing on a Saba feature in 2012, Deaux has climbed the backpack ladder, providing features for the likes of other Chicago creatives such as Mick Jenkins & Smino.

Most commonly featured for her vocal prowess, Deaux has been upping the anti over the years, experimenting with her sound on solo material and bringing with her not only lush, soft melodies but some of the sweetest, down to earth bars in the Windy City.

Most Wanted is a continuation of form, being Deaux’s most creatively ambitious body of work yet; it brings hypnotizing high hats and melodies that only Deaux can produce. All 8 tracks deliver with a cool, calm and collected experience that are consistent with the content Deaux has built her catalog on over the last few years.

The opening track, “Jumpin’”, makes the listener feel exactly like doing that. It’s carried by an infectious bounce in the production that would make any head in a 1 mile radius bump in synchronicity. Deaux goes on to deliver the coldest verse over a slowed beat change-up half way through the song. It’s braggadocious, but it’s down to earth and lets the listener know that no one else can get it jumpin like her.

The following track, “Most Wanted”, follows as an antithesis to the previous song. While “Jumpin’” is upbeat and flaunting, the EP’s title track is a lot more melancholic in nature, with Deaux providing a much more vulnerable look into her life with trust issues with others.

“Stay Down” and all the other songs that follow contribute to the moody atmosphere while providing great production and experimental song orchestrations. “Streets” serves as the best example of Deaux’s ambition to play around with song structure. Every feature present feels perfectly placed and contributes to the album's moody atmosphere.

Continuing a streak of very smooth highs and very little lows, Most Wanted is a project that gives you a look into Deaux’s personal life — a look into her grief for her city, a love for herself and a vulnerability to return to a place once lost; all over some of the best production featured, leaving listeners wanting more.