In today’s landscape, it’s not just about the skills because we are all skilled enough to create music. It’s now a battle of character and identity, but what if the artist decided to showcase multiple identities just because they can? I’m talking about JeezJesus and his brand new LP, Somewhere Between Love & Misery. Join me as I discuss this in length and read why this track is artist-centric.
The LP started with an atmospheric, gloomy, and uneasy track titled, ‘Abandon Everything.’ It perfectly sets that dark electronic alternative music that the album was hoping to bring. It created curiosity enough that it made me listen a lot more because it was just that symbolic in a way.
‘I See You’ feels and sounds like the perfect soundtrack to an indie mystery thriller game. It has all the packages you need: the distorted/heavy synth lick, distorted mic effect, and that futuristic drum beat, and to be quite honest, I’ve never been a fan of electronic music because of how mainstream they’ve become, but JeezJesus is different. He made sure that his identity and his sound are rooted in the music.
‘Like to Like You’ started with this groovy and heavily synthesized bass keyboard lick. The cool thing about it is that it should never work. I’ve come across artists who use synthesizers as a module or as a means to create curiosity and identity, but on this particular track, it became the main thing that you need to listen to. It’s not sitting in the background. It’s in the forefront.
The track ‘Control’ feels like it was influenced by those early 2010s club vibes because of the beat and the repetitive keyboard lick, but what made it special is that it still has that dark overtone to it, mainly because of the bassy keyboard string notes. To me, this track sounds like a masterclass in brand creation. You take samples of known styles and add your own touch to it, making it a remarkable track.
‘Cost of the Lost’ is another track rooted in that dark electronic alternative sound of JeezJesus. The distorted mic effect added flare and mystery to the overall feel of the track. This is another prime example of what I call ‘music for the soul’. It doesn’t conform to what is the norm, but it creates authenticity and adds a layer of originality to the artist themselves.
By the track, ‘Don’t Wanna Be Here,’ I already have a hunch of how JeezJesus creates music. JeezJesus loves to create anticipation and mystery, and it shows in the intro. He lets the music marinate for the listeners by creating spaces in the means of spending a bit more time in the intro and a couple more. JeezJesus is never afraid to be different.
‘Pressures of Life (Killing Me)’ is another example of taking popular styles and adding a bit of himself to the music. It started with this infectious drum beat and keyboard synth, and eventually added that heavy and distorted vocal effect to create that layer of identity being synchronized with known styles.
By the track, ‘We Could Be Friends,’ it sounds like something flipped in the music. The music sounded a bit more hopeful and geared towards that electronic mainstream sound because of the song progression, the overall melody of the track, and how the synth is being used. Sure, it has that JeezJesus element to it, but it feels and sounds a bit light.
‘Burnt Out’ sounds like a mix of old school punk, but in the electronic style, because of the song progression, the use of the synth, and the overall light feel to the track. It actually goes hand in hand with ‘It’s Doing My Head In.’ It started with this keyboard bass lick that created a positive vibe to it, mainly because of the notes used.
‘Work to Die’ feels like a mix of that dark overtone mixed with that mainstream rub because of the overall song progression, the notes used in the track, and that distorted vocal effect. I have to say that creating an album that has a bit of everything when it comes to branding is a bold move. It clearly means that JeezJesus is never afraid to tap into his identity, even if it means contradicting himself. That’s a very rare thing to hear and see in today’s musical landscape.
‘I’m So Stressed’ and ‘I Want a Pony’ have that same positive feel to them. Again, another clear statement of authenticity and bravery in an industry where sticking to just one thing is the norm, and for that, I raise my hands.
JeezJesus’ latest LP, ‘Somewhere Between Love & Misery’, is a masterclass in bravery and artist branding. It perfectly encapsulates the idea of an artist creating art for themselves rather than the masses.
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About the Author
He has been in the music industry for two and a half decades. Currently, he plays bass guitar for a rock-reggae band called EnjointPh and a funk-fusion trio called Banky. He also hosts a podcast titled Usapang Musiko with Ervin Besana, which explores topics such as music, arts, and philosophy.
