Jhameel is an under-appreciated indie artist who takes his (yes, his) influence from the likes of MGMT and Phoenix, although the most apparent similarity I hear is Modest Mouse. Jhameel's signature sound is very percussive and drum-driven, with hard-hitting, marching band-style drumlines backing his varied instruments which rely not only on the go-to piano/guitar/bass combo, but also expands to a bigger, more impressive sound with horn and string arrangement. He thus brandishes a breezy brand of pop-rock that also has a rougher edge brought about by the big-bang drums and the raw-twinge in his voice, which, at times, borders a little on Gerard's affected whining from My Chemical Romance. There's a better, more flattering comparison to be made about his vocals, and though I can't seem to put my finger on it, that very fact describes them well: familiar, but hard to place, and markedly unique as well.
His full-length, The Human Condition, is straight indie-pop/rock, with sing-along chants, whoops, harmonies, and catchy melodies. Title-track sounds almost straight off of Modest Mouse's Good News for People Who Love Bad News, complete with a jangly guitar, stomping drums, handclaps, and full trumpets. Other standout tracks include "THC" and "How Many Lovers."
Jhameel - THC
Jhameel's latest effort has a little more updated sound, an aptly titled Dance EP which utilizes more synths and drum machines, but still includes orchestral arrangements to create a bold and eclectic brand of electro dance pop that is a little effervescent but more self-consciously audacious, which demands more attention and strives for something more than the simple, transient bliss of a summer pop tune. The whole EP is worth a listen, but check out "Foundation," an anthemic, uplifting tune with blips and boops backed by an underlying string arrangement. On the other hand, the second track, "Shut Up," is a funky, bass-driven tune that samples "Funky Town" with a guitar and violin. The vocals on this track are extremely raw and fantastic.
Jhameel - Foundation
Jhameel - Shut Up
It's all free on his website: www.jhameel.com
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