Listen to new J. Hubner track ‘The Touch’
It’s been a long time coming, but I think I’m getting to the finish line.
I’ve been working on this particular album for the better part of two years. I think the oldest song goes back to early 2011. I don’t think I’ve ever taken this much time to put an album together. Since 2007 I’ve written, recorded, and put out an album a year. In 2011 I put out a Goodbyewave record and the Sunnydaymassacre debut. I feel like if I’m not putting another album together then I’m wasting time, or I’ll just say the hell with it and start watching sports. For me, that is the equivalent of flushing any creative aspirations down the toilet. Like a fish, if I’m not moving I’m sinking. Yet, over the last couple of years I’ve began slowing down some, and I’ve noticed something: I’m not sinking.
It’s always been this desire of mine to be relevant artistically. To have something of worth to offer the world, and hopefully the world would appreciate it; even like it, maybe. And although my desire to write and create is still very much there in me, I’m not in such a hurry to put something out there. I’m taking my time, I guess. Smelling the roses, as it were. And if these 14 songs are any indication, I think it’s paying off.
Midwest Son will be the second album I’ve put out under my own name. It’s not any drastic change stylistically, nor is it the same old song and dance. I guess you could say it’s a new twist on an old formula. I’ve always been a pop song kind of guy. I love the hook. I love the melody, and I love the harmonies. Those are the things that caught my ear when I was 4, 5 years old and hearing those Beatles records on my parents Pioneer stereo. Or what mesmerized me as I heard Queen’s ‘In The Lap Of The Gods’ as it played on my little Fisher Price record player, alone in my room. Music that grabs you and messes with your emotions. Makes you feel something. Happy, sad, mad…contemplative, melancholy. That’s what I look for in music and that’s what I want to achieve when I write. So this extra time is me making sure that everything is just right. I had a tendency to rush through before. Had to make that imaginary deadline in my head. Well, no more rushing. I’ve taken my time and the songs are the better for it.
The album isn’t mastered yet, but here’s a sneak peek at the album. The song is called ‘The Touch’. Let me know what you think. I’ll post more as the process finishes up.
5 Responses to “Listen to new J. Hubner track ‘The Touch’”
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- - March 13, 2013
I won’t give you any musicology here, just vague impressions. It feels like a non-derivative () mix of the Besnard Lakes and a poppy version of Panda Bear. The chorus has a really cool melting feel. I’ll make no judgments of the lyrical quality (I can get pissy and unfair about lyrics), but I like where the vocals sit in the mix: buried just enough so that it’s one of several instruments and not so prominent that people like me can get overly focused on them. On my crappy computer speakers, no mastering is required, but that last opinion is of such low quality that I should pay you. I’m intrigued with this. Nice!
Panda Bear? You made my day.
Thanks for the feedback. I need to check out the Besnard Lakes, as I’m not familiar with them(though I have heard OF them). As far as the vocals, I was going for the vocals being more of an instrument as opposed to being the focal point, so you’re right on the money with that. Lyrical content varies for me. I tend to fall into more obsure lyrical ideas than solid points in my songs. I’m like you though, unless lyrics are glaringly horrible, I can forgive the vernacular.
There are a couple songs on this record that I was going for more of a meditative feel. Like some of the more stretched out instrumental segments of Disintegration. I’ve been listening to a lot of instrumental and experimental music over the last year or so and I’m trying to incorporate those influences into a pop, indie, and alternative musical landscape.
Just more excuses to let the music go where it may.
Thanks again. I’ll have more up soon.
A followup: I shared this track with everyone in my household (1 other person: the best person in the world) and it’s unanimous. We like it.
Thanks (to both of you) for the followup. I hope I can keep the good vibes flowing. I’ll save my dubstep track for last.
Don’t worry, there is no dubstep track.