New Music Review - ‘Braincleaning’ the EP by Jam Henderson
Braincleaning was released on Friday, 29th April 2022 and has been rocking the world of many listeners worldwide. The EP cover credit goes to Rosa Nevison and Flynn Robson.
Braincleaning is the second EP by Jam Henderson which has been on rotation since Friday morning, when it was bought out into the world and boy, oh boy, are you in for a treat if you have yet to hear this EP.
Combining soft grooves with subtle melodies that will have you swept away, Braincleaning is the project of Sam Elliott, who has worked with an array of different musicians to create this artfully blissful masterpiece that you will be spinning over.
Braincleaning is unlike any other indie music that I’ve heard before - it is mellow, golden and feels like a mix of all my favourite musical artists have come together to create something out of this world.
What you can expect from Braincleaning is pretty simple to understand - it has a wonderous balance of reflective writing that has been well thought out, amongst indie-surf tracks with essential guitar riffs that challenge what indie can be defined as and will leave you feeling touched and on a ride out to sea.
Inside Falling Out is the dramatic-sounding start to the EP, it also happens to be the first song released as a single off Braincleaning. While the song may be small in length, it is big in energy and voice. Inside Falling Out has this lived in Mild Orange vibe, bringing delectability of what is to be experienced throughout the four tracks you are about to be shined down on with. Jam Henderson makes the most of focalising instrumentals in this track, rather than the vocals, which has become a very trendy thing to do recently and a big hit, too.
Halfway to India. Okay, when I say this song has lived rent free in my head since being able to hear the EP, this is not an over exaggeration by any means. This song is dynamic, sweet and laidback. Halfway to India has a clear path surrounding where it is taking you on the journey of 3 minutes and 48 seconds. Halfway to India is a stunning song, a contender for the top song off Braincleaning because it is so calm and quietly constructed to be near perfection. If this song doesn’t make you want to go to India and listen to Jam Henderson the entire way, then I don’t know what will.
Easy Way Out is upbeat and dynamic which adds to putting even further heat on the fire that is Braincleaning. It is very funky, mixed with easy listening that will have you clearing your mind (or in this case, your brain). Best served in the sunshine with all of your pals around, dancing like nobody is watching. The breath of this tune puts things into perspective: if you’ve had a bad day, it’s really not that bad if you look at the grand scheme of things. Maybe as the song suggests, don’t look for the Easy Way Out in situations and enjoy whatever life has been tossed in your direction. This song makes me feel positive and light.
Close to You is the last tune off Braincleaning and once again, it is filled with low scale lovely moodiness that leaves you in an embrace which sends you to your favourite place. Close to You has this bittersweet movement attached, this song really leaves the butterflies in your stomach and you will wish that they won’t ever go away. This tune is romantic and while I am unsure of the context of the song fully, it comes across as emotionally delicate and wholesome.
Overall, Braincleaning has multiple aspects to it, showing off what Jam Henderson is able to do. It would be recommended to take a listen to this magical EP now and let the weight of the world come off your shoulders, even for a few moments.
The EP was recorded at 236 Studio in Dunedin with Peter Molteno who done the mixing, the EP was produced by Tom Bell.
You can find out about Jam Henderson and follow along at the below links -