It’s hard not to fall for Welcome John’s groovy pop sound. The Montreal multi-instrumentalist (real name Jean-Baptiste Beltra) released his debut album this year, aptly titled Debut. A sure start to a fine musical career on the pop/neo-disco path, already perceptible on his first single released in 2021. A glance at his networks is all it takes to understand the artist’s attraction to retro, ’70s ambiances: high-waisted pants, patterned shirts, long hair, and moustache… If we needed visual confirmation of everything we hear on the album, we’ve found it!
From the very first notes of “Wishing Well,” the album’s opening track, we’re drawn happily into Welcome John’s sonic universe. Analog synthesizers, electric bass, guitar, drums, and vocals are the basic ingredients used by the artist to cook up his soaring, catchy tracks. You’ll find colours reminiscent of Parcels, Ginger Root, and even Vulfpeck. Welcome John establishes his retro identity with multiple synth textures, a very dry drum sound, often harmonized vocals and sounds to which we’ve had fun applying a whole palette of effects, sometimes amusing, sometimes aerial, and other production tricks.
It’s like stepping into an idealized past, redecorated to suit today’s tastes: wickedly effective pop, an absolutely undeniable groove, and totally polished production, for a refreshingly young and unmissable whole. As you can see, Debut is a must-have for all fans of good pop. A feverish accompaniment to our winter evenings.
