Jutes: Left on Dilworth Is Giving Everything — And Then Some
Cover Photo by: Juan Flores (IG: sk8orjuan)
Canadian alternative singer-songwriter Jordan Lutes, better known as Jutes, is back with another album (released June 18th), barely a year after dropping Sleepyhead. You really can’t tell this guy to slow down; he’s literally on fire, both musically and personally (congrats on the recent marriage to Demi Lovato!). This time, he’s teamed up with record label Position Music, stepping even further into the spotlight after his run with Capitol Records. With a dedicated fanbase across social media and streaming platforms, Jutes has already proven he can deliver– and while Sleepyhead was top-tier in its own right, Left on Dilworth showcases even more evolution for this artist, and I’m so excited to share it with you.
Jutes caught my attention last year with the insane amount of effort he puts into TikTok (all jokes). But seriously, I’d see him come across my feed at least twice a day, and guilty as charged, I’d watch the reels every time because his songs were addicting like sugar. Jutes is no stranger to the music scene, he’s been making songs for years, even co-writing with his new wifey. Some songs he’s worked on with her include “Substance,” “Happy Ending,” and “City of Angels” from her album Holy Fvck. What makes Left on Dilworth so special is the evolution from those early albums with more pop-punk vibes. Throughout his discography, you can see the switch to a darker, more intense feeling, but still very true to Jutes.
The album is dramatic… like really dramatic– but we love a good emotion-evoking tracklist, right? It’s catchy, it’s dark, and some songs are downright hot. Jordan Lutes’s vocals are out of this world, obsess-worthy, I can’t stress this enough (you’ll probably see me mention it at least a dozen more times). Although the album includes some steamy songs, it also digs into more personal narratives, so don’t worry if the romantic twists aren’t your thing — the album has much more to offer besides that! Overall, soundwise, it’s cohesive– each track unique on its own, but staying true to a vibe. Imagine Deftones plus Queen of the Damned, but reimagined. Late nights with candlelight, but also long drives in the rain. I had to cut my list of standout songs because otherwise, I’d just be writing about the whole album.
SMUT
Personal favorite– why? Because I’m a BookTok girl, of course. But that’s not the only reason, although biased because this is like BookTok anthem material — yes, but the song brings the initial heat. It maintains catchy deep chords with a breakdown that throws in some unclean vocals, which we love. The song is very spicy, the type that makes you cross your legs and make sure your AirPods are actually all the way in before hitting play. It sets a mood, with lyrics that make you blush a bit. I’d write them out, but I’ll let you dig into that on your own. What I love is that this song still has some heaviness to it and headbanging is very much a necessary movement during the outro.
Red Velvet ft. Ari Abdul
Beautiful song. Like the title, it’s just so smooth. Slow and yearning vocals by both Jordan and Ari match perfectly. Neither overpowers the other, and that balance makes this song so successful. Every time I think there can’t be another catchy song Jutes could produce — I’m wrong. This duet is wrapped in moody instrumentals– candlelight and chaos is the best way I can put it.
The End
The last song I want to point out is this one. Jordan’s vocals are remarkable here. The drama and pain sewn into the threads of this song are so notable and contagious. It’s the type of song that leaves you speechless and in silence, making it the perfect closeout to the album. Palpable emotions flow through waves of deep lyrics and vocal range. This song has deep meaning — relatable to anyone who has faced a moment in life coming to an end and is coming to terms with it. A tragic beauty of a song.
The themes throughout this album hit multiple emotional layers– love, lust, heartbreak, and personal battles. Songs like “Left on Dilworth” stand out not just because they sound beautiful (and they do), but because they feel real. Musically, it gives off a Deftones vibe, but with a twist that’s super specific to Jutes once you get familiar with his style. You can tell he’s pulling from real experiences, especially with references to specific places and moments within the lyrics.
Honestly, that’s what makes this whole project so special. The lyrics feel like they’re coming straight from the source, like you’re listening to someone unpack what they’ve been through, piece by piece. But even though it’s personal, it still leaves space for you to connect in your own way. You catch yourself wondering, What happened that made him write that line? and suddenly you’re thinking about your own life too. That’s powerful musical magic.
This album is really for anyone, whether you’re a diehard fan or just discovering Jutes for the first time. The lyrical themes cover a wide range, and musically it feels like a more evolved, deeper version of Jutes, and I’m so onboard. So even if you’re new to his sound, Dilworth still feels familiar enough but fresh and super exciting.
Not to make any bad puns, but with this album, I’m So Obsessed. Jutes had me hooked from Sleepyhead, and this one takes it even further down a path I’m totally fangirling over. I’m rating this album really high, and honestly, it’s no surprise he’s approaching two million monthly listeners on Spotify, he’s earned every single one.
Whether you’re fighting—I mean— joining me, to be front and center during the Jutes set at Warped Tour Long Beach or attending the second leg of the Sleepyhead Tour supported by Layto and Ally Nicholas, just know the first stop will be July 28th in San Francisco at The Independent.