Album Review: Ehson Hashemian – Message

Ehson Hashemian takes the listeners, and himself, on a journey of self-discovery with his new album, Message.

The Southern California-based multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter is someone who finds his own path, whether it be as the keyboard player of the ground-breaking alt-rock group The Jakes (who became better known as Young the Giant), or Message, his sixth solo album.

Message isn’t a concept album per se, but certain themes crop up within its fifteen songs. One is the belief that we should try and remain optimistic, difficult in these challenging times. Hashemian has a knack for finding the right words and melodies to make that seem easy, putting his personality into the music and finding beauty in the everyday. He also explores the need to persevere in adversity, to find a way forward, and to make connections with others.

As an album, it has a very indie sensibility, tracing that back to rock and roll, and also to the present, but incorporating elements of African music. He has spoken about how the tracks utilise strophic form, repeating the melody and music, though the lyrics change. Additionally, he employs polyrhythmic guitar parts to add a minimal, highly rhythmic aspect. Find A Way isn’t a dance track by any means, but will you find yourself dancing along? You won’t be able to resist!

If one track sums up the ethos and spirit of the album, it’s Alright. Hashemian has a vocal style that has more than a hint of indie rock to it yet has a feeling of reassurance that is like a warm hug. Its African influences can be heard in the rhythm – especially the shifting percussion – but equally, he finds a connection between that and rock and roll. A musical history lesson and a feel-good number rolled into one, it leaves a glow of happiness behind it.

The song equally indicates that referring to Hashemian as a multi-instrumentalist seems an understatement. Here, and repeatedly on the album, as on Too Good To Be True, he shows a dexterity and talent for using changes in vocals, complex percussion lines, and energising, hook-heavy guitar melodies to create arrangements that are tight and inventive. As a vocalist, he bears more than a passing resemblance to David Byrne to my ears. And like Byrne, it gives him the gift of imbuing the lyrics with a sense of wonder, as if everything is an adventure, even the unknown.

As an album, it does stand outside the norm of mainstream rock and indie, though the likes of eternal sunshine of Find A Way and Too Good To Be True deserve a wider audience. If Talking Heads or early Vampire Weekend are regular features of your musical playlists, Message deserves a place alongside them. Ehson Hashemian offers us moments of brightness here, and we should hold them close.

Message is out on the 10th of July, 2026 – for album streaming options and to learn more about the person behind the album, follow Ehson Hashemian on Instagram, where you can also check out his considerable percussion skills.