Ehson Hashemian – Me Then You (Album Review)

Ehson Hashemian’s Me Then You is a richly atmospheric and introspective record that bridges melodic indie rock with dreamlike textures, threading a conceptual narrative about love, unity, and the human condition. As his fifth solo effort, the Southern California artist delivers a cohesive and emotionally charged experience, blending his singer-songwriter roots with layered production and a distinctive alternative sensibility.

The production across Me Then You is consistently sharp and deliberate. Hashemian clearly knows his way around a studio, weaving shimmering guitar tones, warm basslines, and tight percussion into an airy yet grounded soundscape. Each track feels meticulously mixed, allowing subtle details, like background synth flourishes and harmonics, to emerge naturally. There’s a summer brightness to the record’s overall sound, with upbeat rhythms and light, breezy instrumentals reminiscent of Vampire Weekend or early Phoenix. Yet, beneath the sunshine lies a moody introspection that occasionally evokes Radiohead’s more pensive moments. Songs like “Everything” and “I Knew” demonstrate Hashemian’s ability to build atmosphere gradually, while others like “Time Is Right” and “Work It Out” channel danceable grooves that feel spontaneous but carefully arranged. The one slight drawback is that a few tracks seem to flirt with a climactic “drop” that never quite arrives, an intentional restraint that may divide listeners but ultimately aligns with the album’s meditative tone.

Lyrically, Hashemian opts for simplicity and sincerity over complexity. His writing doesn’t aim to dazzle with poetic ambiguity; instead, it resonates through repetition and emotional accessibility. Lines like “I just want to be with you” and “There’s nowhere you can go, but through it” stand out for their directness and universal relatability. This approach suits the album’s conceptual thread, a longing for connection and the pursuit of love and understanding in a fractured world. Even when the lyrics veer toward the minimal, their placement and phrasing lend them a hypnotic quality that complements the lush arrangements. The recurring motifs of sunlight, friendship, and resilience give Me Then You a throughline that feels cohesive without being overbearing.

Vocally, Hashemian leans into a tone that carries both warmth and melancholy. His voice sits deep in the mix, resonant and unpretentious, often drawing comparisons to Thom Yorke in its slightly detached yet emotive delivery. On more energetic tracks like “Me Then You” and “One You Want,” his vocals lift with the rhythm, blending seamlessly into the buoyant production. On slower songs such as “Only You” and “When It’s Over,” his restraint adds a soulful gravity that underscores the album’s reflective moments. His phrasing feels natural, never forced, and while he doesn’t always push for vocal showmanship, that restraint works in his favour; the emotional weight comes from texture and tone rather than power.

Musically, Me Then You is built around guitar-driven melodies that balance simplicity with precision. Hashemian’s instrumental instincts are strong; the guitar work feels fluid and intuitive, while the rhythmic sections stay tight without overshadowing the vocals. He plays like someone who knows when not to play, each note and strum has intent. His blend of alternative rock, light funk grooves, and dream pop textures gives the album a modern yet nostalgic quality. There’s a clear lineage from mid-2010s indie acts, but Hashemian brings a personal touch, particularly in how he fuses electronic undertones into organic arrangements. The final track, “You Got It,” marks a stylistic departure, venturing into dance and electronic territory. Its club-like beat and nostalgic shimmer make it feel like both an outlier and a fitting coda, a reminder that Hashemian’s creative boundaries are far from fixed.

Taken as a whole, Me Then You is a vibrant and thoughtful record that finds strength in cohesion rather than experimentation. While some tracks blur together stylistically, that uniformity feels intentional; it’s part of the album’s conceptual arc. Hashemian isn’t trying to reinvent indie rock; he’s refining it, filtering its familiar sounds through his own emotional lens. The result is an album that feels timeless in mood and sincere in execution, Radiohead meets Vampire Weekend, but grounded in Hashemian’s own introspective California soul.

SCORE / Excellent – Me Then You ultimately feels like the work of an artist fully at ease with his craft, confident enough to let mood and melody carry the story rather than force grandeur. It’s a sun-drenched, quietly emotional journey that rewards both casual listeners and those willing to sit with its subtleties, proving that Ehson Hashemian’s best work may still be ahead of him.

[We rank singles, EPs, and albums on a scale of Poor, Mediocre, Good, Excellent, and Outstanding]

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