John Lebanon puts together an easy breezy summer single, “Mizuri”
On their newest single Mizuri, Boston-based indie folk band John Lebanon has delivered a short, shimmering track that channels awakening, reinvention, and hope with a grace that feels effortless. It’s got that easiness about it that screams summer listening, so please, give it a spin whenever you can!
Clocking in at just 2 minutes and 44 seconds, Mizuri makes the most of its compact frame. Built around acoustic foundations and layered with atmospheric textures, the song carries itself like a summer breeze. It doesn’t overwhelm or overstate its message; instead, it glows softly, urging listeners to step out of despair and into the light of possibility. That spirit of renewal is baked into the very name, with “Mizuri”, the Japanese rendering of Missouri, serving as a symbolic touchpoint for the duality between old wounds and fresh beginnings.
The band’s trademark style comes alive here in both subtlety and execution. Roy, Matt, Jihad, and Deluccia set the stage with laid-back instrumentation that balances folk strumming with these sparse atmospheric production touches that really do a great job of expanding the song. There’s even a hint of minor rock grit woven into bits and pieces, giving the song a super cool edge.
Vocally, the performance is perfect! The lead line is placed front and center in the mix. And yet, it’s the interplay of the dual vocals that gives Mizuri its glow. This single marks the debut of Gaby Carvajal Poisson as a vocalist with John Lebanon, and while her contributions are understated, they are essential. Her harmonies drift in around the main vocal, adding more into the world they’ve created here.
On our first listen, we were immediately reminded of bands like Real Estate, masters of making music that’s simultaneously light and profound. But, John Lebanon puts their own stamp on it through thoughtful lyrics, emotional depth, and a sound that blends so many subgenres into something fresh.
Short, sweet, and endlessly replayable, it’s not just a single, it’s a reminder that even in uncertain times, the path forward can be lit by something as simple and profound as a song. We love everything about it and urge everyone out there to give it a spin! You can do so by clicking those links below and don’t forget to follow along either.
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