Indie singer-songwriter Jared Justen is not an artist one can easily pigeonhole. He’s known for the refreshing variety and unique intricacy of his songwriting, exploring his own mind and emotional spectrum in carefully crafted, lyrical reflections. An idiosyncratic, highly introspective artist, Justen was raised on a broad mix of late-90s music, ranging from gangsta rap to underground indie rock and everything in between. That diversity still informs his stripped-down, emotionally complex sound, characterized by expansive exploration of mental and musical possibilities. Weaving together elements from a wide range of genres, his genre-defiant boldness evokes pioneering acts like Ben Harper, while his intimate vocal style draws comparisons to folk icons like Devendra Banhart, José González, and Pete Seeger.
Primarily self-taught, Justen first picked up guitar in college before moving on to experiment with keys (and later: singing, songwriting, and producing music). His well-received repertoire showcases a compellingly genre-fluid sound, weaving elements of radio-friendly pop, alternative rock, folk jazz, and neo-soul into subtle meditations on life’s mysteries and complexities. His 2018 debut, self-produced folk-pop album, Sky Align, was followed by sophomore album Wolves Teeth, released during the 2020 Covid pandemic. Distilled and relatable, the songs grapple with large-scale existential, physical, and emotional issues. Now poised to drop his third album, A Bend in the Light, in late 2023, Jared Justen is exploring the physical and symbolic ways different elements interact and affect one another. Laced with imagery of lighthouses, sunlight, searchlights, pools, waves, and cleansing water, the album is ethereal but down-to-earth, sparse but intricate. Delivered in his signature, tenderly emotive vocal style, the vocals are backed by gentle, rhythmic guitar, elegantly sparse acoustic soundscapes, and driving, punk-infused electric vibes (see single “Arrow,” for example). Though often leaning toward melancholy introspection, there’s a thoughtful range of moods on display in any given Jared Justen album. And he prefers to keep it that way: “It’s easier for me to write sad songs than happy ones, but I try to use writing as a tool for understanding and coping with all my moods and feelings,” he says. “It kinda puts me back together. Makes me feel more real. It feels good to get it out––whatever it may be.”
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