This is my first post on new music. I plan to continue providing periodic posts on new music that I love and that falls outside the mainstream radar.
KESMAR’s album, “Always Chasing Rainbows” was first introduced to me from a friend earlier this summer as I was traveling from Amarillo, TX to Dallas for the Dead & Company tour. The album proved to be perfect for the vast desert expanse of West Texas. Dark clouds from a storm that prior evening began to part and the sky filled with the beautiful oranges and yellows of a Texas sunrise. While there were no rainbows, I felt like I was chasing the theme of the music all the same.
KESMAR is the work of producer and songwriter Nathan Hawes from Sydney, Australia. I could not find many details about the up and coming artist. According to KESMAR’s SoundCloud, “Always Chasing Rainbows” is a follow up to an initial EP released back in 2019. Hawes recorded the album in his home studio during the pandemic.
KESMAR’s sound features smooth synth grooves and fun lyrics. The music carries 70s nostalgia as can be seen in the psychedelic themes of the cover art work and music videos. Hawes brings a personal, laid back, and easy going touch which differentiates it from being just a rehash of yacht rock. KESMAR’s music is great for a summer beach party or long road trip.
The album gets off to a great start on the second track “Day by Day”. The percussion is reminiscent of Curtis Mayfield’s “Pusherman”. The glimmering synth line then comes in setting a upbeat tone. The lyrics are in slight contrast to this tone, but are in no way gloomy. The narrator is lying awake at night with thoughts filling their mind, but is rest assured that “I can’t fight these feelings, I’m on my way, Just take it day by day”. I can relate and I find my self humming these lines to remind me not to fight the feelings I’m experiencing.
My favorite track on the record is “Out of Luck”. It’s hard not to bob my head along to the fun and bright bass lane. The first verse is a good description of my life the past few months “I wake up at 10 just to find, Myself doing the same things, With my time I’ll leave it all till later on, It’s not up to me I can see all the things that cross my mind, Don’t take it seriously”. Don’t take it seriously has become one of my new mottos.
Another standout track is “Change My Name”. This was the song I went back to after my first listen. The chorus is great to sing along to and the accompanying music video inspires me to surf even though I’d need to become a better swimmer first.
If you are in search for something to listen at the beach or pool side, look no further.
