HIRIE RELEASES LATEST SINGLE "SMOOTH OPERATOR"

"I take my time, He wanna vibe

I love the way you make me smile"

- HIRIE in Smooth Operator

Have you ever been in that moment in life when the universe seems to conspire and pull you towards that captivating dance of fate when you meet someone who effortlessly glides through your heart, leaving a trail of warmth and wonder in their wake?

Hold on– here’s a freshly released single by HIRIE, a Filipino-born, Italian-raised singer-songwriter, that perfectly encapsulates those exact feelings! Dive into the melodic world of reggae-pop with “Smooth Operator” which was just released on September 29th of this year– a new hit that makes you sway and dance to that euphoric feeling of love and romance.

Meet Oahu-based musician Trish Jetton, also known as “Hirie”. She is a reggae-pop vocalist leading a six-piece band that regales us with songs about love, romance, and weed, drawing from a range of reggae styles, ska-influenced rock, and smooth pop.

Her musical journey was heavily influenced by her multicultural upbringing, ranging from her father working in the United Nations and being born in the Philippines to moving to Europe and setting foot in Hawaii, which became her spiritual home.

Drawing inspiration from her Filipino roots and the sunny reggae and native melodies of her new home, she found a deep affinity for island music and roots. This connection drove the blossom of her bright and laid-back self-titled debut album in 2013, featuring her first single from the EP, “Sensi Boy”.

Looking back, we can say that Hirie is really one of those artists who once began with open-mic night performances and has now become a globally acclaimed artist. Let me share some more information about her.

Hirie, at 19, made the leap from an open-mic intimacy to creating a journey with a full band whom she met when she moved to San Diego, California. The band’s name, “HIRIE”, is a fusion of the first letter “H” of ‘Hawaii’ and “Irie”, a popular reggae term derived from a Jamaican patois relating to warmth and positivity.

Backed by a six-piece band, this frontwoman enjoyed a breakthrough and high praise for their 2016 album “Wandering Soul”, earning them the esteemed San Diego Music Award for ‘Best World Album’ in 2017. The album also marked the band's establishment as a formidable creative force, leading them in a refined pop-reggae direction.

In her Instagram teaser post for the single “Smooth Operator”, we can see Hirie singing on the recording mic in her room while dancing and smiling to the beat. A moment later, she was joined by her man, Jamey Jetton, hugging her from the back while she sang. The video ends with them who hugged each other peacefully, emphasizing the line “My man just showed up.”

The caption includes some fun facts and a trip down memory lane about their love. The artist did justice in conveying the song’s genuine message through a teaser video, enacting the feeling of being in love and at ease with someone at the same time.

The song starts with the line, “You’re cool like a mauka breeze. I love the way your body rush back to me.” This subtly connotes that the person being addressed is calm, composed, and refreshing, much like a gentle breeze from the Mauka (mountain) region of Hawaii. It signifies a sense of being relaxed and easygoing. Meanwhile, the second line implies a strong attraction or connection between the two individuals, highlighting their enthusiastic responses with fervor and delight to the mere presence or gentle caress of someone.

Then the song progresses with the lines, “You’re like– one of a kind. I know you’re mine. I love the way you make me smile”, conveying a message of being with someone who’s exceptionally unique and who makes you feel loved and over the moon.

Along with the riddims, she gracefully embedded words that reflect the musical culture of reggae in the lines, “Got a man that burn and grow his weed”, “He got it smooth like fiyah,” and "When I pull to his place, I know I’ll see his face Irie yaaa”.

HIRIE’s “Smooth Operator” showcased its instrumental prowess, incorporating rhythmic patterns of reggae including drums, horns, guitar, and bass, which blended seamlessly with the artist’s smooth phrasing vocals.

Behind its release are powerful collaborations of great artists, including producer Leslie “Bimwala” Ludiazo, mixer James “BONZAI” Caruso, and special guests horn players Daniel Delacruz, Andi Geib, and Slightly Stoopid duo Miles Doughty and Kyle McDonald.

Despite its recent release, Smooth Operator has already garnered more than 21, 000 plays on Spotify. HIRIE’s fans couldn’t hide the excitement, love, and support for the single leading up to its release date, flooding her social media pages with reactions and comments. One fan commented, “This is a certified banger!” while expressing how the song got them screaming. This can only mean one thing– Smooth Operator is that song that’ll surely give you LSS!

When it comes to collabs and features from emerging talents, HIRIE can certainly serve you a plethora of collaborations at the table with globally known artists such as Kolohe Kai, Matisyahu, Trevor Hall, Nahko Bear, Inna Vision, Spragga Benz, and more.

With her Irie and groovy-driven musical craft, she’s never not on the lists of featured top songs on playlists like HIRIE Radio, Reggae Party, and All the Aloha: Native Hawaii.

Right now, the artist has amassed 290,000+ active monthly listeners worldwide,

38,000+ YouTube subscribers and thousands of followers on her social media platforms, reflecting the steadily growing fanbase she has globally.

This year, HIRIE is barreling into yet another ecstatic and fruitful year by making waves in the land through a tour concert. Together with her are Grammy Award-winning Band SOJA and artist MIHALI, hitting the road from late autumn all through December.

But wait, there’s more! A forthcoming song from SOJA featuring HIRIE, titled “Nothing Lasts Forever,” is on the horizon. Be sure not to miss it and give it a listen to savor a touch of tropical reggae vibes.

Truth be told, what we all desire in life is to love and be loved. The collection of warm feelings, positive vibes, and gleeful smiles that come from being with 'that' person who enters our lives represents the most precious moments worth celebrating. And no celebration is complete without a touch of music. But worry not, because you’re about to add one song to your all-time favorite playlist. HIRIE’s “Smooth Operator” is definitely that 4-minute feel-good vibes soundtrack that we all need. So, sit back, relax, and get irie!

HIRIE was featured on our The Chosen Dozen list last Episode 78, listen and stream below!