John Lebanon’s "Kite Without a String" finds beauty in life’s quiet connections
Across eight beautifully crafted songs, John Lebanon explores identity, belonging, faith, and human connection with a sincerity that feels increasingly rare in today's landscape. They’ve managed to keep everything sounding superbly fresh and original with “Kite Without a String” and by the record’s end, we immediately wanted to listen again to capture that laidback feel.
Just released on June 12th, 2026, Kite Without a String was written over several years between New England and Beirut, and that geographic distance becomes one of the album’s defining strengths. Rather than presenting a singular perspective, the record feels like a collection of reflections gathered from different places, cultures, and moments in time.
From its opening moments on “Hurrican Eyes”, the album establishes a super rich atmosphere. These warm folk melodies form the foundation, but John Lebanon expands beyond traditional folk conventions with dashes indie rock arrangements and even some occasional but subtle Middle Eastern influences that add some charm. The sound that they’ve crafted though is quite distinct. We’ve had the pleasure of reviewing them before, most recently on their single “Mizuri”, which thankfully made the cut.
Instrumentally, Kite Without a String is nothing short of gorgeous. Honestly, these songs could just be instrumentals but we’re not going to act like the vocals don’t bring a ton to the sound too. Every musician here contributes something essential to the album's sound, creating compositions that feel alive. Roy Souaid’s guitar work provides a steady emotional center, while Karl Deek’s lead guitar adds color and nuance without ever overshadowing the songs themselves. Matt Deluccia’s bass anchors the arrangements with understated confidence, and Marc Chehwane’s keyboards introduce texture that enhances the album’s reflective mood.
Meanwhile, Khalid Razick’s trombone brings a unique warmth to the record, offering moments that elevate the songs beyond standard indie folk territory. Stefanos Athinaios’ percussion is equally effective, providing subtle rhythmic detail that keeps the music moving without ever being overbearing. Together, the ensemble have crushed it on the instrumental end. Every single song had a moment that blew us away sonically. You’ve got to listen with headphones to really hear it in the best way.
Each song adds another layer to the journey, creating this cohesive listening experience that rewards immersion. Trust us, click play and let it run through. This is not a collection of disconnected tracks but a true album in the classic sense, one that invites you to settle in and absorb its world from beginning to end.
With Kite Without a String, John Lebanon has gifted the world an album that’s intimate and expansive. It is a record filled with beautiful musicianship, heartfelt performances, and thoughtful songwriting. Most importantly, the replayability factor is astronomical. Dig into these songs over and over by clicking those links below and don’t forget to follow along either.
Listen to “Kite Without a String”
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