Dimitris Lysandros, known by the stage name 'Jimmy Li', raised in (Piraeus suburb) Nikaia and currently residing in Athens, is set to launch his inaugural album 'Sugarcanes & Grapes,' on March 8th. It follows the release of his debut single, 'Forget,' unveiled in February 2022. Drawing inspiration from a diverse range of genres such as Alternative and Classic Rock, Shoegaze, New-Psych and even Progressive Rock, 'Sugarcanes & Grapes’ is an elegant, deep-psych album, with pop sensibilities and artistic finesse! Addressing current social issues, Jimmy Li comes up with a unique statement mixing poetry with sharp musicality and style! 'Sugarcanes & Grapes’ is due out on extremely limited edition black and grimace purple vinyl, distributed worldwide via Sound Effect.

About “Sugarcanes and Grapes”: Opening his album with a slow and mixed intro to make us swoon is relevant and so opposite to the Swipe generation. You know, this generation that never has time for anything, that no longer responds to texts or emails because they use voice messages. Constantly with a phone in their hands but never to make a call or respond to an email. The opening is 4 minutes 45, a rock production that reminds a lot of the Californian scene and a bit of the Punk from the movie The Crow, the city of angels. It is followed by the track Ride, a beautiful gem carried by a melancholic voice. In a few words, this song explores the theme of the search for inner peace, the escape from past sufferings, the necessity to love and accept others. The lyrics express a desire to move away from the negative aspects of life. It mentions a difficult past, symbolized by a 'dirty belly' and a world he called a 'cage.' The 'infected fangs' of this world made him sick over the years. The metaphor of the horse and saddle suggests an escape to a place of peace. The chorus represents this physical and emotional escape to heal wounds from the past. Journeys in search of human love result in an awareness that many pursue dreams without real desire. The call to cry suggests a quest for love and unity in the face of hatred and blind pursuit of dreams. It is on Again that we found our El Dorado. The song addresses the theme of unity in difficult times. The text suggests that the worst moments lead to unity, symbolized by the appearance of a gentleman who recognizes achievements and gives praise. However, the second verse talks about heroes accused of betrayal, perhaps illustrating internal conflicts. The chorus emphasizes the importance of overcoming obstacles together to change the world, warning against division. Later, it warns against hatred towards the neighbor for their ideas, emphasizing that this animosity fuels the cycle, with the gentleman emerging victorious again. The overall exploration includes themes of resilience, cooperation, and the consequences of division. 2/2 Digger is another track not to be missed on this album. Less obvious than the others, it is, however, very interesting to listen to several times, as the background is rich! A borderline grunge Alt Rock side for its saturated bass, reminiscent of the live production of the Parisian group AqME. The song is inspired by the Greek film 'Digger' released in 2020. The lyrics evoke a betrayal symbolized by the rain carrying away the traces left. The author denounces deceptive seduction, comparing the aggressor to cheese in a mousetrap. Friends succumb to destructive temptation, emphasizing that power lies in the weakness of the victims. The narrator presents himself as the last man standing, determined to resist despite adversity. The decision to fight or surrender to the enemy is posed, expressing internal conflict. The metaphor of a tick causes physical discomfort, perhaps representative of the harmful intrusion into their lives. The song explores resilience in the face of betrayal and the struggle against temptation. In a few words, this album is powerful in its mastery of production and arrangements. It explores themes such as escape, love, social disillusionment, and resistance. Songs like 'Ride' express the need to escape, while 'Lu' evokes desire and pain. 'Again' speaks of unity in adversity. 'Digger' is inspired by a Greek film to criticize manipulation. 'Rebel' draws inspiration from 'Motorcycle Diaries,' highlighting the fight against injustice. 'Blinkers' criticizes social conformity, and 'Scars' speaks of personal evolution through trials. Songs with varied themes, merging rock and poetry to offer a rich musical experience. (Julien James Vachon from Direct-Actu.fr)