Cesar Maria is an LA based songwriter/musician/producer. After releasing two albums under the guise of Juan Wayne (with fellow songwriter Andrew St. James), Cesar began a solo bedroom-based exploration into lo-fi dream pop in 2022.
“On Ur Side Now” is an enchanting bedroom folk-pop composition centered around depression and the prospect of how long it might last and the accompanying anxiety of what that consideration brings. When Cesar sings “if I’m not happy now does it mean I’ll never be?” it cuts to the core of the listener and we feel we’re right there suffering with him. When he sings “if you’re happy can you pass it from you into me” it’s like an updated, reverse version of “I wish I could eat your cancer when you turn black”.
It evokes emotions akin to some of the work of Bon Iver, The National and Phoebe Bridgers but with a lo-fi charm more reminiscent of our own bedroom pop maestro Julian Wa and maybe a little of early Elliott Smith. The song is rounded off with the introduction of some tasteful synths as it comes to an end. Really beautiful, moving stuff.
Written by Kinda Grizzly
