Insight & Critique
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact

Justin Besse - Entangled Thoughts

5/13/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Justin Besse

Entangled Thoughts
​self-released; 2022 

3.7 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

Justin Besse is a musician currently living in Burlington, Vermont who released Entangled Thoughts. Besse started playing clarinet in second grade, at the age of eight, but for several years now has been writing songs on guitar. He explains, “I really have tried to develop my own sound, but I have definitely been influenced by artists such as Nick Drake, Bob Dylan, Dave Van Ronk and Woody Guthrie.”

The songs on this release aren’t the most technical and mostly revolve around strummed minor and major chords with singing on top of the progressions. On that note the performances felt honest and raw.

The album opens with “Let It Go” and the song sentiment is all in the title. It feels like a reflection on letting go of particular thoughts and feelings. The mood is a bit pensive and melancholy but also contains some hope especially when the chorus hits and Besse repeats the phrase “let it go.”

“Falling Leaves” contains palatable melodies and energetic strumming patterns. There were points in this song where I could practically hear the drums and bass enter like when he sings “We watch the leaves fall.”

The album continues with “Misfits” containing themes about salvation, destiny and perhaps even finding your soul mate. “Darkness” is a darker song with lyrics that asks questions like “id there anything else to live for / Is there a reason to try.”

I interpreted “Like Everyone Else” as yearning to be similar to others when you feel alone while “Miles” is a bit more pensive and even ominous. It ends with “Easy Love” which contains some of the more notable vocal melodies.

My main critique was that the energy of the songs felt almost identical. The strumming patterns felt interchangeable. I wanted a little more variation here like perhaps some guitar picking and even some additional instrumentation to make the ride feel more dynamic.

​The songs are well written and I think the main strengths are the honesty in the performances which feel naked and human. This is a solid effort and hopefully just the beginning of  a lot more to come. Take a listen.
Tweet
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

       Critique/insight

    We are dedicated to informing the public about the different types of independent  music that is available for your listening pleasure as well as giving the artist a professional critique from a seasoned music geek. We critique a wide variety of niche genres like experimental, IDM, electronic, ambient, shoegaze and much more.

    Tweets by divideanconqer
    Are you one of our faithful visitors who enjoys our website? Like us on Facebook


    Archives

    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012

Company

About
Contributors

Newsletter

Newsletter
Book Your Band

© Divide and Conquer 2022. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
  • DAC
  • Indie Music Album Reviews
  • About
  • Submissions
  • Top albums
  • Features
  • Contact