Jonny Herman – Old Romantics (2024)
Inspired by life in its totality, singer-songwriter Jonny Herman delves into the emotional and existential grittiness and glory of reality. Exploring various themes such as relationships, society, individuality, community and the simple act of merely being, Herman leaves almost no stone unturned in his exposition of, well, everything. Just as the themes are diverse, but also similar in their appearance, Herman’s music is unconventional, varying and intriguing. From his 2023 single ‘ocelotoflounge’ to 2024’s ‘Old Romantics’, we travelled through different licks of jazz, indie, pop, rock and blues.
While we have only heard Jonny Herman as a solo artist, the singer-songwriter “cut his teeth” in the music industry as a drummer for different acts. In his solo project, he comes across as what he calls a “millennial just trying to make ends meet” – and his melodies speak not only to millennials but all generations. In his four-track EP, Old Romantics, Herman’s songs tackle “various themes of romanticism… a fresh look at love, nostalgia, new media and neoliberalism, and how all of this drives people in the modern age…” As we mentioned, it’s all about life in its totality with a toe-tapping beat.
Opening with the title track, Old Romantics hits you between the eyes with a kaleidoscopic, unconventional, innovative style that belongs entirely to Jonny Herman. We might consider the track to be an introduction to his signature jazz-tinged style; however, clips of classic rock sputter in ‘Old Romantics’ clutching audiences who love the jazzy-blues sassiness, as well as those who enjoy a harder, heavier, weightier guitar in their tunes.
Placement of tracks is always important, and Herman highlights the clever arrangement following ‘Old Romantics’ with ‘Oriana’. Soft, soothing, gentle and flowing, but with toe-tapping percussion and guitar inserting obscurity in the overall song. The almost indie-folk tone continues to ‘Picture Book’; yet, as the closing track, Herman blends all genres in a two-and-a-half-minute exposition of his style in its rawest form. Oh yes, and we have to mention the track ‘UBM’ sitting between ‘Oriana’ and ‘Picture Book’ presenting a strong indie-rock flavour with hints of jazz piano slithering elegantly shimmering to the end of the debut EP.
One aspect I find intriguing about Old Romantics, as if there aren’t several aspects, is the kaleidoscopic duality of the EP. In four tunes, Jonny Herman takes you from vintage jazz, blues and rock to contemporary indie-folk. A rollercoaster of sounds carries you from beautifully wistful waves to tragic lines of vulnerability – all bound in a sophisticated, elegant, but delicate composition.
A favourite track; that’s not easy to choose. Not only are there different tones and styles to match different moods, but each single also boasts a particular individuality within the harmonic symphony. Personally, I would choose ‘Old Romantics’ but mainly because I enjoy the cheeky saxophone and piano in the track. What’s your favourite?
Find out more about Jonny Herman on his Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
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