Premiere: MsSimoneJ Guides The Way Toward Collective Growth In New Album, 11:59

With each passing day, cynicism feels like the easy way out. The constant barrage of bad news drains our energy, and the world seems intent on wearing down our spirits. Hope starts to feel like a luxury, something for dreamers and not for those weighed down by reality. It’s easier to shrug, to accept things as they are, to believe change is beyond our reach. But is it?

There’s quiet rebellion in choosing to believe, to care, and to push forward despite the weight of disillusionment. Not blind optimism, but a fierce, unyielding hope. The kind that refuses to fade, even when the world feels like it’s crumbling. More than ever, we need not just positivity, but empowerment, the understanding that we are still the guardians of our own destiny, even in uncertain times. Stay focused, keep your heart open, and trust that progress will come, even if it unfolds in ways you never expected. It may sound like a cliché, but it’s the truth: keep moving forward, and you will rise, one way or another.

These themes run through 11:59, the new album from Richmond hip-hop artist MsSimoneJ, shifting in rhythm and intensity but always carrying the same vibrant yearning for a better path forward–one that begins with us. Across eight tracks, the record blends assertive artistry with a deep sense of communal hope, offering both a steadying hand when we stumble and the push we need to finally take that long-overdue step forward. Set for release on Tuesday, March 11 via Renaissance Recordings, this album serves as a rallying cry for those navigating the grind—whether trapped in a soul-draining 9-to-5 or chasing a dream through the chaos of uncertainty. Today, The Auricular is excited to premiere this album with an exclusive stream below as well as a closer examination of its dynamic vision.

From the outset, 11:59 opens with an empowering creed, backed by a warm instrumental that shimmers with radiant textures and smooth delivery. “I just tell the truth,” she declares early in the track, setting the tone for the entire album. This line serves as a thesis for the record, blending bravado and empathy to offer a fresh source of inspiration as listeners journey through the music. It’s a challenging truth for many to embrace, including MsSimoneJ herself, who steps down from the soapbox to stand shoulder to shoulder with those she hopes to uplift (“God knows\ I’ve been holding back\ But now I grow\ Out the concrete\ And expose the most beautifulest things to me”). In the song’s chorus, she distills the essence of 11:59’s vivid resonance into a memorable refrain, one that evolves into a mantra by the track’s end: “They like the negative nonsense\ But that is not my process\ I grow.”

Though the tone, approach, and style shift throughout the album, that core of growth and resilience fuels the entire record. It flows through a warbling sample on “They Can’t See,” asserts itself over a swirling beat on “Evident,” and contrasts furtive tones with a bold stance on “Won’t Work.” At times, the message comes fast and heavy, like in the blustery “Both 2 Win,” while at others, it takes its time to unfold, as in the closing track “Knockin’ On The Way To Hell.” The latter cleverly inverts the musical imagery of Bob Dylan-penned and Guns N’ Roses-popularized “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door,” reminding us how close we come to slipping into darkness by holding on to things that should be easy to release (“Because you’re knocking on your way to hell\ But I’m stopping\ Showing you the light\ That’s the topic, bro\ Hoping you could just awake and shake it”).

Lyrically, MsSimoneJ commands the mic, crafting a record filled with potent bars and sharp wordplay. At times, she drops assertive declarations like “Greatness reside in me” or invites reflection with imperatives such as “Recalibrate your mind.” Other moments feature entire verses that bring pause, like rhythmic boasts rooted in self-care and empathy (“With my head high / Walking with a strut / No, I’m not better than you / But when it’s true / I’m better than things that you do / If you was real with yourself / That’s you who is your offender / Mad cause / I’m making you think / Something you ain’t used to”). This lyrical approach amplifies the album’s message while also challenging listeners to confront their own truths in order to grow. It strikes a nimble balance between self-assurance and vulnerability, urging others to embark on their journey toward empowerment.

These themes are second nature to MsSimoneJ, a devoted community leader who promotes self-care through her work as a stylist and lends her support to food pantry initiatives. Her dedication to these causes positions her as a strong advocate for wellness and a catalyst for positive change within her community, values that 11:59 reflects through its diverse approaches. In this light, the album becomes more than just music; it evolves into a call to action, urging listeners to join in the collective journey of growth and transformation. Framing it within a compact, vibrant, and impactful hip-hop package only enhances this message, allowing the artistic resonance of 11:59 to echo as powerfully as possible.

While MsSimoneJ leaves plenty of thought-provoking moments throughout the record, it’s the album’s title, 11:59, that lingers long after the music ends. The title invites multiple interpretations, whether it’s a warning of impending doom akin to the infamous Doomsday clock or a reminder that a new day is always on the horizon. On a larger scale, much like the universal themes woven throughout the album, 11:59 can represent our place in the vastness of time–a second before midnight, fleeting and easily passed by. With this in mind, it’s up to us to make the most of our time here on Earth. Don’t allow resentment, frustration, or self-doubt to weigh you down. Instead, take a page from MsSimoneJ’s poise and find the courage to take that long-awaited step forward. Just be sure it’s not the last push you give yourself.

11:59 is set for release on Tuesday, March 11 through Renaissance Recordings, which you can pre-save on Spotify and Apple Music now. You can catch MsSimoneJ in concert next on Saturday, March 15 at RVA Boombox for Ready For The High alongside T.R.I.G, Redd Handed, IAMI Collective, Ro$$etti, and Rel Lyfe. Tickets are available at this link and you can view the concert flyer below. To keep up-to-date on MsSimoneJ, make sure to follow her on social media.