J Fernandez will release his debut album, Many Levels of Laughter, on June 9th via Joyful Noise. A week ahead of its official street date, the full LP is streaming below.
A cartographer by trade, Justin Fernandez crafts his fresh take on ’60s psychedelic pop in his Chicago bedroom. Utilizing mostly borrowed analog equipment, he explores the lo-fi corners of baroque styles. He’ll dip into jazz (“Filled With Joy”), swerve alongside krautrock grooves (“Between the Channels”), and sink into a MIDI haze (“Apophis”), all while endlessly looping tape to create dreamy compositions loaded with charming lyricism (“I doubt everything/ I’m filled with awe,” he drones on closer “Melting Down”).
“Giving yourself over to this record for 32-or-so minutes is a bit like agreeing to Gene Wilder’s version of The Wondrous Boat Ride,” said label-mate Mike Adams, “You’re going to experience things you don’t expect. Some of it will be immediately wonderful, some of it will be confusing and magnificent. Only, instead of a nightmare-fueled, psychotropic freak-out, it feels more like a Brian Wilson daydream…”
Many Levels of Laughter Tracklist
01. Between The Channels
02. Markers
03. Read My Mind
04. Casual Encounter
05. Filled With Joy
06. Holy Hesitation
07. Souvenirs
08. Apophis
09. Melting Down
