Singer-songwriter Jae Jin has released his fifth studio album, “Praying With Eyes Open,” out now along with two singles, “Through The Waves” and “Crayons,” each accompanied by music videos. The Seoul-born, Virginia-based artist co-produced the record with longtime collaborator Aaron Hayes, who played multiple instruments and handled engineering, mixing and mastering. Cellist Matt Butler, known for his work with Maren Morris and Kirk Franklin, also appears on the album.
The project was funded through a Kickstarter campaign that set a goal of $20,000 and raised $34,000, according to Jin, who said the campaign received Kickstarter’s “Projects We Love” designation. He recorded the album in Nashville during the summer of 2026, and says the sessions relied entirely on live musicians and analog gear rather than samples or programmed instruments.
Jin has independently released four prior albums since 2015 and says his songs have received Grammy consideration each time, most recently “Lifelines Always Have Two Ends.” He has also won the John Lennon Songwriting Award and placed first in the International Songwriting Competition, according to his bio, and his music has appeared in more than 100 Korean dramas as well as on Spotify and K-LOVE editorial playlists.
Based on a press release provided to Music Industry Weekly by Eric Alper, thatericalper.com.