Ehson Hashemian shares new record ‘Believe’

Based in Southern California, Ehson Hashemian has spent the better part of his career blending reflection, experience and strength into his music. A seasoned singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, his journey through the music world has been defined by both constant development and reinvention. From his early days as a founding member of The Jakes, who would go on to become the alternative rock act known as Young the Giant, Ehson’s creative fingerprints have been part of some major milestones, including the band’s certified double platinum success and a Billboard Alternative Songs chart peak at #3.

But in 2009, he made a decisive shift, leaving the band behind, he launched his own project, Backwards Forwards, where he began making a new space for his artistic output. His 2012 EP You Are Here and 2014’s Still Life revealed a more contemplative side, showcasing his knack for more experimental songwriting.

That journey reached a new chapter in 2022 when he stepped out under his own name with the debut single “Life Of The Party,” marking the beginning of an exciting new solo era which blossomed into the full-length album Animation the following year. Since then, he’s expanded his musical output across a string of well-received records and now brings us his new fourth album titled Believe.

Now, Ehson Hashemian delivers his fourth album titled Believe, a body of work that confronts struggle with compassion. The record orbits around a central theme of self-honesty in the face of setbacks and the quiet, determined belief that better days can still come. It’s music built for those moments when you’re stuck, emotionally, mentally or spiritually and need something to remind you that forward motion is possible, even if it’s slow.

Set up by the soft tones of clean guitar on “Accept,” the arrangement flourishes with the lively shuffle of drums and fluttering guitar notes, Ehson’s bright vocal leads glide in to spin upbeat melodies above the charming indie arrangement. Crafting a delicate and catchy scene, the track casts an enchanting and subtly invigorating sound of playful rock-tinged indie pop.

Title track “Believe” arrives with the gentle plucks of guitar before jumping into a bouncy jam of dancing instrumental flickers and delightful vocal performance. Creating a sepia-toned indie rock outing that’s memorable and heartfelt in equal measure, it’s a melodic anthem of self-reassurance, encouraging the listener to hold on just a little longer. With “Comes and Goes,” Ehson injects a danceable energy into his sound to serve up an uptempo song brimming with infectious melodic writing and breezy instrumentation propelled by slick percussion.

Other highlights on the record include songs like “Feel” which strikes a compelling chord with it’s rustling drums and airy vocal leads which drift over sprightly guitar pips. “It Is What It Is” presents a polyrhythmic exploration of acceptance, built on layered instrumentation and grounded in a kind of zen realism. Closing the album with “When It’s Time,” Ehson rounds out the album with a gentle folk style piece of warm acoustic guitars, pattering percussion and hushed vocal leads, offering a graceful and tender finale to his truly superb new full-length release.

Listen to Believe below