As a producer, there are moments in the studio when something special happens – when the fusion of different musical worlds creates magic. Working with QYOR (pronounced Kwahyur/Choir/kwí(e)r) on “Miss You” was exactly one of those moments.
The Artist
QYOR brings more than just a voice to the studio; he brings a legacy. Having toured with Jamaican music icons like Jimmy Cliff, Rita Marley, Tony Rebel, Agent Sasco, and Tarrus Riley, his unique XOUL sound – characterized by a velvet-smooth tenor and rich gospel fervor – has been shaped by years of exceptional musicianship.
The Studio Session
“When we started playing the chords, I said ‘Yo, this sounds like straight up gospel,'” I remember from that first session. Having spent considerable time in church myself, playing during praise and worship, I immediately recognized the spiritual undertones in what we were creating. This wasn’t going to be just a two-chord song – it was evolving into something with different parts and feelings, bridging gospel, R&B, and country elements.
The Production Journey
“Miss You” went through several stages of evolution while maintaining its core essence. What started with keyboard-based guitar parts grew as we brought in live instrumentation. “We got a guitarist to play over it, and I decided to blend my guitars with that guitar to give it a nice wide sound, like a nice country music kind of song,” I explain. Each layer was carefully considered, with particular attention paid to strengthening the harmonies and synchronization.
A Personal Connection
Sometimes the most profound moments in music production come from unexpected places. During the process, a conversation with my daughter about the lyrics “Sunday to Saturday” added another layer of meaning to the song. She questioned why we didn’t say “Sunday to Sunday,” leading to a beautiful discussion about perspective and time – how missing someone transforms every day of the week into something meaningful.
The XOUL Experience
QYOR’s XOUL sound represents a new generation of artists who hunger for music that’s both beautiful and raw. His early introduction to vocal expression through family, church, and school shaped him into a true music aficionado, and this authenticity shines through in “Miss You.”
Listen to “Miss You” now: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/qyor/miss-you
Connect with QYOR:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook: @iamqyor
For bookings: TeamQyor@gmail.com