Artist: John Maus
Album: Later Than You Think
Label: Young
Link: https://johnma.us/
Style: Pop, Electronic
A professor of philosophy and Doctor of political science, John Maus only became truly interested in music in his early teens, swept up by the Nirvana craze. He played in a few punk bands while creating music on a computer, but above all, he studied composition at the California Institute of the Arts. He therefore has a deep knowledge of classical music, particularly medieval and baroque music. It was his encounter with Ariel Pink that confirmed his desire to create music with a strong pop orientation. Marked by his commitment and emotional expression, his live performances forged his reputation. But it wasn’t until his third album in 2011 that critics began to favor him.
With his elastic bass, love of vintage synthesizers and baritone voice, John Maus transports us directly to the New Wave and Gothic spirit of the 1980s. His songs also reveal an interest in liturgical chants, reinforcing the Gothic feel. This penchant is fully embraced in the closing track of the album, ‘Adorabo’. The approach, while dark, remains danceable in the style of Joy Division. His lyrics are reflections on what our society inspires in him, but also marked by the loss of his brother in 2018, inviting us to free ourselves through an ever-present spirituality.
At the beginning of his career, John Maus made a name for himself with lo-fi production, fortunately for audiophiles, an aspect that is much less prominent today. The strong presence of deep vocals and mellow bass favors the low-mid range, which nevertheless remains clear enough to be easily discernible, especially with speakers that have good bass quality. With synthesizers sprinkling little melodies throughout, the sound is a blend of 80s/90s tones and a fresher, more modern production, which further reinforces the importance of counterpoint in pop compositions.