Local Springfield artist, songwriter, and producer, JHN Wes, released his anticipated sophomore album, “Soullection,” the weekend before Valentine’s Day on February 12.

The Massachusetts-grown creative who grew up his entire life using his family name, John, started using his middle name of Wesley, or Wes, as his stage name in college. However, just recently, the artist made the decision to merge the two and now goes by the music name of JHN Wes.

“It’s the both of them meeting each other, you know?” the artist laughed.

The forever-evolving musician and music-lover came up with the album name, “Soullection,” due to the realization that he was no longer a rap artist and was truly an R&B artist.

“I want to make R&B-Soul music and have that be the emphasis for this album,” said JHN Wes. “For someone briefly looking over the album, they can tell I’m a soul artist without [even] deep diving into my album. [They can tell] just by the title: “Soullection,” which is a collection of songs that are soulful and mean a lot to me.”

Very selectively chosen by JHN Wes, the 16-track project features a total of six feature artists, including upcoming R&B singer, DSMND, featured in “Save Me”, a JHN Wes single released earlier in the summer of 2020.

“That song was the foundation for the entire project,” boasted JHN Wes. “I was making a lot of songs throughout these three years, but when we recorded that song, I was like, ‘Okay, I have direction. I know where I’m going as far as what I’m going to do for this project.’ Everything after that song came out was easy, which was awesome. Shoutout to DSMND pronounced Desmond; I couldn’t have made this album without him and the vibe we created that day.”

The album, which took just over a year to complete, allusively served as a platform for upcoming artists in Springfield to gain exposure, create and uphold a community, and maintain a chill vibe in the process. Many of the artists featured on each track hold space near and dear to the musician’s heart and have been supporting him from the beginning.

“[All of] the artists on my album mean a whole lot to me,” said JHN Wes.

The R&B-singer’s relationship with reoccurring featured artist, Arv G, started developing in middle school. The two, who’ve been friends for over ten years, used to freestyle with each other during high school days.

“It was important for me to continue that. We ended up recording like four or five songs to put on the album, which is awesome. We got a really good vibe going which was a good foundation for the entire album.

“[Von Live] was big for me because when I first started recording music and laying down vocals, he was the first person I ever got in the studio with, so making songs with him and having him be a part of the story for chapter two was very important because he means so much to my musical journey.”

Imminent Springfield producer, Dorren Pier, recorded and engineered the entire project. JHN Wes said he spent every recording session with the producer.

“[He] really helped me shape the project and shape these songs the whole way… Having him on a couple of features was only right.

“With Eryka Daniels, I made a song called “Pressure” a few years ago that people really liked, and that also might be one of my favorite songs I’ve ever made. It was me and [another] girl. I wanted to have that dynamic again on this project. I like that for R&B; when a guy and a girl go back and forth; I love that feeling.”

JHN Wes said the last feature, d-nice, dropped into his lap one day when his childhood friends connected them together in the studio.

Priding himself in being around “dope, creative people,” preceding the debut, the creative hosted an album release party that showcased other fellow artists and their talents at Blue Room Studios in Indian Orchard. The venue features high-tech recording studios and event space for showcases specifically for rap and R&B artists.

“I knew it was the perfect place to have my release party, so I started planning for that,” said the R&B artist. “So, I had this idea to have the release party but then I was like, ‘Damn, I kind of want to have another showcase with artists I feel like are dope out here [in Springfield.]”

Hosted just a day before the album dropped on February 11, the artist had his talented sister, Alexus, and longtime childhood friend and singer, Jayzabel, perform. Along with a multitude of other local Massachusetts-based R&B and rap artists, like Chizz Capo from Boston to Shamrock and Quality from Springfield, the rapper also had a long-awaited performance.

“The album release party was so fire, man. We had a great turn-out. People came out to support from around and there were great energy and good people all around. It made me feel good to know I have support out here.”

So, what’s next for the R&B and soul musician?

“There will be videos about to come out, so watch out for that,” said JHN Wes. “More performances, another project for June or July— I’m doing a collab album with my sister, Alexus. We have a little vibe going right now, so hopefully, we get that out for the summertime.”

The musician, who’s always loved music and the power it has to bring people together, said he hopes listeners understand his presence, “catch the vibe” he tried to capture within his music, and get peace from his music as he does.