Columbian guitarist & composer Jan Esbra has quite the pedigree, having earned a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Composition and Music Business from Berklee College of Music.
His new EP, ‘Keep Moving Forward,’ is a collection of five songs written during a period of transition, heartbreak, and self-discovery.
‘To Call Home’ – Like a fresh morning breeze, the EP opens with delicate guitars and nimble, free-flowing drums. The vocal is intimate and winds in and out of the wonderfully crisp, tactile sounds. Light melodic lines are carried along shimmering waves that are so warm and rich they saturate the speakers. I loved the intricate melodies, creative fills, and variations.
‘Schrodinger’s Cat For A Day’ – Glitchy, lo-fi scratches and beeps swirl together with layered guitars and lush vocals. This is a calming, hypnotic bubble of sound which feels almost therapeutic. Percussive sounds tap and splash in seemingly random patterns like a summer rain shower. It’s a great title too, and the chanting vocal tells a tale of being in between states – present/absent, asleep/awake.
‘I’m Not One For Superstition’ – As much electronic as acoustic, there are some great sound choices that are hard to pin down, adding a subtle menace that I loved. There’s a tension that is maintained throughout, and the steady chord progression – combined with some jazzy spiraling – adds a slightly unsettling melodic edge. It’s not often you hear a song about a UFO, either – frantic, but fantastic!
“I saw it steadily move towards the skyline
Floating in the daylight
A long metal cylinder”
‘Keep Moving Forward’ – This feels like an antique clockwork toy, brought to life by a musical hand. As you listen, it seems to evolve, telling its story in a wonderfully theatrical way. The melodies and atmospherics have a strange, timeless quality, alternating between a stage musical, a jazz-tinged film soundtrack, and a classical piece. It really is unlike anything else I’ve heard in ages, and despite its mournfulness, it’s my favourite track on the EP!
“They say when one door closes
I ask when is the other one supposed to open?
all the doors around me have been closing in
and the ghosts surround me
piling on and on and on
Am I the one calling the shots?
Or just a puppet on a string?”
‘So Long’ – The acoustic squeaks and creaks are in full effect here – you will feel like you are sitting on stage, surrounded by the musicians. I loved the wide space in the mix and Jan’s urgent vocal – close but soft. As you’d expect by now, there are so many melodic touches and flourishes that it’s like a book filled with plot twists. A pretty finish to the EP, this is a hopeful song full of personal revelation and quiet clarity.
“I just couldn’t see it
But now I can’t look away
Cause I don’t have to stay”
‘Keep Moving Forward’ approaches you from all sorts of odd angles with surprises around every corner. The combination of electronic and acoustic elements adds unexpected detail to each track, giving this EP a truly multidimensional character.
There are velvety smooth edges to each sound, but the melodies and percussion are full of spiky surprises. It’s a seductive combination.
‘Keep Moving Forward’ is a translation of a phrase used by Jan’s father throughout his childhood, reminding you to continue onward even when the ground below you is changing. It’s a perfect title, as the music here never stands still – it transforms and unfolds, evolving and adapting into beautiful new forms.
Written by Grubby
