New York-based recording artiste Arqane has put much into his brand-new EP, titled Limerence, which was released on Valentine’s Day.

The four-track opus, which delves into matters of the heart, was produced by Sage and RichkidTheDJ.

In an interview with the Jamaica Observer’s Splash on Thursday, Arqane, whose real name is Basim Robertson, shares that his Jamaican heritage influences his style of music.

“My father is from Kingston and my mother is from Clarendon. I grew up around music and, as a matter of fact, Capleton is a close family friend. He is my main musical influence, because seeing him perform throughout the years definitely inspired my first love for music,” Arqane disclosed.

He added: “Music began from a tender age in the household, always being played, and also me being brought to stage shows from as young one year old and witnessing all the great dancehall and reggae acts from Capleton, Sizzla [Kalonji], Buju [Banton], Beenie Man, Damian Marley, and more. I love every minute of my journey through music; it’s very eye-opening and full of passion.”

Limerence features the songs Xpensive, Xotic, X & O’s, and Nightshift. The project is the follow-up to his 2024 six-song EP titled Change of Heart.

Arqane shared the inspiration behind the meaning of Limerence.

“The inspiration came from the previous EP Change of Heart, which was a journey of heartbreak to love. This EP continues the trilogy with the love turning to obsession and lust or Limerence, hence the name,” Arqane explained.

The 21-year-old infuses a cosmic multi-genre cadence over various melodious rhythms.

Arqane told Splash that he tries to keep listeners on their toes with vibrant hooks, witty lyricism, and vocal ranges throughout verses, providing them with a colourful experience and journey into sound.

“All of my artistry is displayed and showcased on the new project. Arqane is dancehall with a difference. More specifically, an original blend of the nostalgic dancehall style mixed with the current sound of today’s generation. My Jamaican heritage is 100 per cent evident in the music, as my music is mostly in patois and this surprises individuals when they hear that I was born in New York. It’s very important for me to highlight my heritage as it shaped me into the person who I am personally and musically,” Arqane said.

And with his new EP showcasing aspects of love, Arqane shared that he wants to focus on reintroducing true love in the dancehall space.

— Kevin Jackson