Jared Adams introduces you to his personal brand of Mystic Humanism with his expansive and expressive new sophomore album — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
The followup to the Winnipeg alt-rock singer-guitarist’s debut album Tragic Nostalgia, Mystic Humanism finds Adams exploring uncharted sonic territories, delivering a captivating blend of rock and indietronica influences. The 10-song set presents Adams’ hot takes on the now: Politics, the metaverse, AI’s imminent takeover, Earth’s unsteadying balance and more — all underpinned by a search for compassion and understanding, urging the importance of stepping back and reassessing, even when it’s hard.
The album delves into a musical realm shaped by the artist’s diverse influences, drawing inspiration from early 2000s alt-rock icons like Radiohead and The Postal Service. In addition to the traditional structures of a four-piece rock band, Adams allows the album’s arrangements to unfold organically, experimenting with synths, drum machines, and intricate songcraft to create a rich tapestry of melodies.
Like Adams’ previous album, this LP was also recorded at Private Ear in Winnipeg and co-produced by Western Canadian Music Award-winning producer John Paul Peters (Royal Canoe, Begonia). It also includes feature performances by the horn section from WMCA winners Apollo Suns; violinist Eric Ross from Yes We Mystic; and Christy Taronno from Paper Machetes, adding extra depth and expressiveness to Adams’ sonic palette.
For Adams, art is a source of relief, a balm for personal and collective ails. Since a youth marked by theatre study, strings of bands, and an ongoing 10-year stint in alt-rock quartet Colour By Numbers, Adams has used creative expression to explore inner and outer worlds.
The singer-songwriter’s solo work developed in quiet until 2019, when an opportunity to play the Winnipeg Fringe Festival instigated the need for a band. This led to his debut album, 2020’s Tragic Nostalgia, wrapping a full band sound around his sophisticated “heavy folk” songs. This eclectic collection was constructed to be easily translated into stripped-down acoustic sets where songcraft would shine. For Mystic Humanism, he let instincts roam, adventuring through the potent potential that comes with letting things fly.
Listen to Mystic Humanism below and keep up with Jared Adams on his website, Facebook and Instagram.
