(April 22, 2025) Brooklyn-raised, Philly-based singer-songwriter Cautious Clay — born Joseph Karpeh — is making an indelible mark in the music biz with his exceptional blend of musical styles by taking luxury pop, modern rock, buttery soul and synth-driven pop to create a world of explorative alt-R&B. Ever since the extraordinary breakout in 2018 with the single release of “Cold War,” it’s been nothing but smooth sailing for Clay’s rise to fame, opening up doors of collaboration with artists including Billie Eilish, John Legend, John Mayer and Khalid. The aforementioned song ended up being featured in Isaa Rae’s hit HBO series Insecure and the soundtrack to Olivia Wilde’s acclaimed film Booksmart. It was even interpolated into Taylor Swift’s 2019 single “London Boy” taken from the Lover LP.
Several albums, EPs and artist collaborations later, Clay is continuing that trend of genre fusion with his latest single coming from his forthcoming album, The Hours: Morning. On “Father Time (10 am),” Cautious Clay delivers his cozy vocals, accented with the occasional breezy falsetto, to a stunning track layered with sleek instrumentation and paradise echoes. With a smart blend of Kings of Leon’s “Sex on Fire,” The Weeknd’s After Hours-esque serenades and a raging power pop tempo akin to Lil Nas X’s “That’s What I Want,” this infectious jam feels inescapable during its relentless mission to please.
Inside the reflective lyrics deftly surrounded by euphoric layers of sounds, Clay empowers listeners to embrace the now and the present moment: “Father time is gone/Now I feel home again/Even when you hold me back.”
While discussing the song’s meaning, Clay provides a portal of New Thought while breaking down the limits of time. “I wrote this song about acknowledging how important it is to act and live presently,” he says. “Father Time is often associated with the aging process, so saying ‘Father time is gone’ is like saying all the things one thinks is a part of getting older cannot and should not apply to the life we want to lead or the life that makes us feel most at home.”
Accompanied by a cool visualizer, the new single can be enjoyed by SoulTrackers far and wide. Take a listen and take some time out to let us know your thoughts on “Father Time (10 am).”
By J Matthew Cobb
