Fernando Perdomo’s Patreon page is a treasure trove of demos, new album releases, and one-off singles. It’s a perfect example of what progressive music means. Perdomo is the role model of an artist who is constantly refining or redefining his craft. His latest release, “Self,” continues Perdomo’s forward-leaning approach. The album, which comes out on June 14, 2024, on Spirit Of Unicorn Music, combines Perdomo’s Southern California-like song craft with Perdomo’s evident prog-rock pedigree to give the listener a look at the many musical faces of Perdomo.

Expertly self-engineered and self-produced, “Self” is perhaps the guitarist’s most accessible album. 

“Searching For Myself” conjures up the very best of Laurel Canyon. Perdomo’s vocals are tight and compelling. His use of harmony is as effective as a Byrd’s album. 

Perdomo, handling all the instruments, weaves in his warm Martin D 28 acoustic guitar textures to enhance his melodic concepts further. 

Care has gone into the sequencing of “Self” as the album builds in interest. “Who I Really Am,” with its Todd Rundgren feel, continues exploring the album’s central theme. Perdomo employs his collection of warm vintage synthesizers effectively with his acoustic guitar. Perdomo’s lyrical electric guitar solo only adds to the song’s power and fills in another piece of the puzzle, making up Fernando Perdomo’s musical self. While “Optimist Prime and “Everything Leads To Now” cover the mid-tempo ballad arena, there is so much musicality beyond the surface that they beg for repeated listening. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that Perdomo, who provides all the vocals on the album, effectively uses his vocal strengths to draw the listener into the concept.

The album title track epic, “Self,” brings all these elements of the previous songs together. The stacked vocals choir, warm-sounding synths, and chorus of guitars bring the album to an effective and satisfying conclusion. The song is a remarkable journey that brings the entire album full circle.

Expertly mastered and mixed by Grammy winner Zach Ziskin, “Self” is another Perdomo masterpiece. 

Available now for preorders in CD and digital formats, the album is yet another leap forward for Fernando Perdomo. Hopefully, It will be offered in the vinyl format at some point, too. However, I would get it now. 

Short Tracks: Jharis Yokley- Sometimes, Late At Night

If you have been fortunate enough to catch the enigmatic Jose James on tour for his latest release. “1978” or his acclaimed 2023 release “On & On,” then you are already familiar with drummer Jharis Yokley. The New York-based wunderkind has released his daring solo debut, “Sometimes, Late At Night,” on Rainbow Blonde Records. Between live gigs, Yokely composed driving songs that cover the arc of one of his past relationships. The album features Yokley on drum, synthesizers/programming, and vocals and contains rhythmic soundscapes that Yokely fleshed out into songs. Jose James guides Yokley as his co-producer; however, Yokley’s sonic stamp is unmistakable. Indeed, the open song, “Back and Forth,” which features Jose James on lead vocals, jumps out of the speakers with its swirling melodic core and daring rhythms. Yokley’s lyrics are not lost in the captivating music as he tells of the relationship’s push and pull. Fellow James band member Masayuki Hirano (AKA BIGYUKI) cowrote the music to five songs and contributed additional synthesizers to the album. “Let Her Go” is nearly frantic with the swirling synths, bold cymbal work, and an ending that seems to create more questions than it provides answers. At the same time, “Remedy,” with its Moby piano coda by BIGYUKI, is undeniably beautiful. “Sleep,” my favorite song on the album, conjures the image of the sleepless nights one would experience during a breakout. Yokeley’s vocal delivery is hypnotic and perfectly complementary to the synth work he and BIGYUKI employ. The album closer features Rainbow Blonde Records executive and artist Taali on vocals with Yokely. “Was It Really Love” is a perfect ending to the album’s arc. The lyrics don’t give you a clear answer to the relationship question raised throughout the album, but the song leaves you more than satisfied with the journey Yokeley has taken you on. The album is fiercely satisfying and is a bold debut statement from Jharis Yokley.