Konshens Releases ‘Can’t Stay Sober’ Ahead Of New Album ‘Red Reign’

Dancehall artist Konshens released his newest single Can’t Stay Sober on Thursday, leading up to the release of his upcoming album Red Reign. The track serves as the first single from the album which is set to be released later this year.

The album title, according to the artist, is said to be linked to his “red hair” era, between 2011-2012. It is a revival of “the hungry, aggressive Konshens,” who in his own words “jus’ a go fi it. Aggressively.” He aims to showcase that same musical passion that he embodied, “in the sense that I have a renewed hunger; mi have something else to prove and me just a approach the business of music aggressively again.”

The album will include several collaborations with fellow artists such as Spice and a number of surprise features, with production from Rvssian, Track Starr, Silent Addy, and Jonny Blaze.

The official audio for Can’t Stay Sober on YouTube features the artist fully submerged in a pool of water on a loop, which symbolizes the meaning of the single as a metaphor for overindulging in self-medicating practices in the constant struggle to stay afloat both physically and mentally, during these rough times. While the song was created as a response to his own drinking problems which he is trying to curb, it also highlights a major issue that is currently plaguing the country as a whole as a result of the pandemic.

In his latest interview, the singer states that, “the world is forcing you into a state where it’s almost like you can’t stay sober.” And while he doesn’t condone it, he’s unable to deny the harsh truth. The present state of the world, due to the pandemic and the underlying issues within the country has amplified the need for a form of escape.