There must be something in the water up in Sweden. The music I've been discovering from the Nordic country lately is so beautiful, multi-layered and a source of endless, often varied emotions. Last week we covered producer and DJ Anna-My and now is time to spotlight songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Victor Jhon Allan Garcia (AKA Jhon Allan). His new EP PURE ILLUSION (released today) blends lush soundscapes with raw emotion, tracing a journey through chaos, self-discovery, and unexpected beauty. Extremely happy I get to be the first to share this blend of emotional indie rock, psychedelia and alt r&b that spans across 6 tracks that dwell between euphoria and pain.
Jhon has written most of PURE ILLUSION in his apartment in one of Stockholm's suburbs, which I think gives that dusky, bedroom flavour, impossible to capture when working in a full-on, polished studio. This is the vibe I got as soon as I had my first experience with the EP and that was "MISUNDERSTANDING". That track had me on chokehold for hours before I could let go and submerge into the world of PURE ILLUSION. I always write my features without following a specific industry formula. Given I have zero background in professional writing or journalism, I just go with the flow and if that's track #5 - so be it. Honestly, that song made me feel like its 2007 and I listen to For Emma, Forever Ago while being on work exchange in the US. I love the raw acoustic production and the Frank Ocean-y emotion. A heartfelt plea for understanding.
Let's zoom out and understand the universe of Jhon before we unveil the premise and influences of PURE ILLUSION. Born to a Swedish mother and Peruvian father, he grew up between folk melodies and Latin grooves, later shaping his sound as a jazz pianist and hip-hop/r&b producer before stepping into his own artistry. Influences subtly woven through the gentle thread that ties all 6 tracks together.
"This EP is like a mirror of all parts of my life over the past year – the beautiful and the chaotic. It’s a journey through life’s illusions and an exploration of what’s real, for me, for you, and for us, for better or worse. It’s the most honest thing I’ve ever done – an attempt to break through the facades and find something genuine.", Jhon elaborates.
The EP opens with "BROTHER" - one of the most raw productions on the release that tells the story of a broken friendship. I like that from the very get-go Jhon showcases the range of his vocal abilities. At times I feel like I listen to The Verve before he moves to falsetto in the style of Florence + The Machine. Also, a tiny detail but I absolutely love the cosmic spaced synth the song ends up to before morphing into the indie-rock-tinged "PURE" which builds up to an emotional peak that explodes in a chaotic, cathartic chorus.
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I love when I get thrown a curve ball and that's what "MAJOR CONTEST" is. I did not expect this (rare for me) usage of autotune. This West Coast-inspired 808 R&B track sweeps us into the thrill and swagger of the dance floor.
PURE ILLUSION is the kind of music that will make you feel and in less than 20 minutes you'll end up dancing, crying, feel like calling an old friend, love, pain, anxiety, hope. You'll feel human, and that's where it's true power lies.
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