New EP from Josh Jensen

Josh Jensen is a Seattle-based singer-songwriter whose music blends elements of folk, pop and Americana stylings. His storytelling, drawn directly from his own experiences, is carried by a voice that balances intimacy with relatable context while influences such as Leon Bridges, Lianne La Havas, Chris Stapleton and Billy Strings, inform a sound that honours the past while pulling confidently into the present.

His journey into professional recording began in 2000 when he tracked a pop punk record at The Dutchman in Seattle with producer Gary Mula, known for his work with Damien Jurado. Though his early foray leaned into the charged energy of pop punk, Josh soon broadened his musical vision. The guitar became his constant companion and with it he explored a wide array of styles from intricate folk fingerpicking to the heavy textures of 90s grunge and alternative rock.

By his college years, he was making an impact with the funk prog outfit Cadre, who released the LP We Are The Media in 2007. His first step as a solo artist came in 2012, once again alongside Gary Mula, when he recorded Unravel the Wire at Columbia City Theater, an album which marked him as an artist able to layer complex themes into singer-songwriter frameworks.

Later, the pandemic became another turning point; with nights spent recording demos on his phone in the basement, he developed what would become his second solo album, Moon Time, released in 2022 and shaped in its final form by producer Luke Rain. The collaboration worked so well that Jensen brought Luke back to engineer his third full-length, This Is Where We Landed, which landed this year on Washingtones Records.

Now he brings us his latest release with his new EP titled Eclectic Mementos, a four track outing that shifts decisively away from his Americana origins and into a sphere of downtempo electronic experimentation. Released via the Non-Minutiae Records imprint, across four tracks Josh Jensen embraces a fabric of immersive instrumentation and hypnotic beats, creating a listening experience that feels equal parts reflective and innovative.

Opened by “Tier 7,” the swung shuffle of punchy beats is contrasted by the bright flutter of acoustic guitar tones as the bounce of buzzy synth bass casts a mesmeric scene. With airy vocalisations giving way to Josh’s impassioned vocal performance, the track rolls with a grooving march and trip hop-tinged aestheitcs, offering a superb display of Josh’s genre mashing approach.

“Welcome to the Parasocial Adventure” follows with the patter of jumpy percussion and elegant instrumental flickers, forming a dreamy soundscape as graceful vocal layers glide in to drift above. With alluring melodic leads and warm backing vocals, the track lays down a charming folktronica sound as Josh’s voice takes flight to soar high above the delicate arrangement.

“H34V3N” perfectly showcases the new experimental direction with the zap of pulsing synth elements and snap of drums crafting a slick blend of organic and electronic vibes. With grooving guitar rhythms adding to the surge of energy in the chorus, it’s a stellar taste of his engaging songwriting and fiercely original sound.

Closing the EP with “a day in the life if it was written in 2025,” he serves up hazy sound of tender guitar chords and soft percussive energy capped by soulful vocal performance. Building with the warm buzz of synths and spacey textures, the track develops into an engrossing psych-inflected avant pop outing that provides the perfect finale to his incredible new EP.

Listen to Eclectic Mementos below