Ehson Hashemian is back with “Message”, his sixth solo album and this is one of those releases that works better when you sit down and listen to the whole thing. We have followed his music with a lot of interest, so there was already some expectation here, but the album still managed to surprise us in a good way.
The first thing that stands out is how much care has gone into the production. Everything sounds properly worked on without losing the character of the music. The mix is balanced, the mastering is excellent, and the different instruments have enough space to do their job. At times, the instrumentation even comes forward and covers the vocals a little. Normally that could be a problem, but here it actually makes sense. The music is supposed to carry part of the message, not just sit behind the singer.
That is also why we decided not to go through this album track by track. It would be easy to pick a favorite song and spend time explaining every little part, but this album asks for something different. It works as one complete listen. The songs connect with each other, and the better way to understand what Hashemian is doing is to start at the beginning and stay with it until the end. Then, quite honestly, there is a good chance you will want to start it again.
There is so much happening in the music. The melodies are memorable, but they do not sound like simple copies of things already heard a hundred times. Hashemian makes some interesting choices here, especially with the guitar parts and rhythms. The indie rock foundation is still there, but his unique musical influences add another side to the sound. The guitar work gives the album movement, while the changes in vocal melody keep the songs interesting.
The songwriting is another strong point. The album comes from a personal place, dealing with the difficulty of making a real connection with other people and using music as a way to say what can sometimes be hard to say directly. That gives the album a clear purpose without turning it into a lecture. There is also an optimistic side to these songs. Tough moments are part of the story, but Ehson keeps looking toward what comes next.
And that matters because the album never sounds empty. The instrumentation is rich, the energy stays alive, and there are small musical details that keep showing up as the songs move along. Ehson has been making music for a long time, from his earlier work with The Jakes to his solo career, and this new album sounds like another step forward rather than a repeat of what came before.
For us, this is one of the strongest albums of the year so far. We enjoyed the release from start to finish, and that is probably the best compliment we can give it. There is real work behind these songs, but more importantly, there is a reason for every part of them. Our advice is simple: give the whole album a proper listen, then give it another one. This is an artist with so much more to say, and we will be ready for the next chapter.
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Based in Southern California, Ehson Hashemian has been on a decorated musical adventure as both a solo artist as well as in various other projects. A singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, his creative journey has been one of constant motion, always striding forward while remaining based in reflection and experience. From his earliest days helping to form The Jakes, who would later rise to fame as alternative rock titans Young the Giant, his story has been threaded with both the energy of collaboration and the strength of artistic individuality
