In an age where distance is often seen as a limitation, Jesk treats it as raw material. The Boulder-based collective’s debut full-length Boombox Odyssey doesn’t just transcend genre — it rethinks what a “band” can be. Formed around a nucleus of seasoned musicians — Tristan Hammond (bass), Casey Deitz (drums), and Michael Cameron (guitar) — Jesk replaces the notion of a traditional lineup with a shape-shifting ecosystem of contributors. The result is a record that feels as mercurial as it is cohesive, deeply collaborative while retaining a clear sonic identity.
From the outset, Jesk’s sound balances intricate precision with freewheeling unpredictability. There’s an angularity reminiscent of Minus The Bear and the frenetic charm of The Dismemberment Plan, but the band sidesteps mimicry by weaving in jazz-inflected time signatures and post-rock atmospheres. Deitz’s drumming — known from his work with The Velvet Teen — is a marvel: dynamic, fluid, and unerringly locked in. Meanwhile, Cameron and Hammond bring a mathy tightness and melodic intuition that keeps even the most sprawling arrangements grounded.
What truly sets Boombox Odyssey apart, though, is its approach to vocals. With no fixed frontperson, Jesk enlists a chorus of collaborators to bring each song to life — including Colossal’s Pat Ford, Diani, Ailani Pedroza, and Ella Meadows (Transit, Narrowcast). Rather than feeling disjointed, this rotating cast adds a welcome sense of unpredictability, each voice acting like a new lens through which to hear the trio’s dense instrumental frameworks. It’s a mixtape in spirit, but an album in execution — seamless transitions, intentional sequencing, and tonal through-lines keep the project from feeling like a grab-bag.
The story behind the music is just as compelling: Jesk records remotely, often asynchronously, building songs through file-swaps and shared instinct rather than traditional rehearsal. Instead of losing energy in translation, the process adds a unique tension and spaciousness to their compositions. Every layer feels intentional, sculpted rather than thrown down — a reflection of both trust in one another and respect for the creative process.
Ultimately, Boombox Odyssey is an impressive proof-of-concept, but more importantly, it’s a record that rewards deep listening. It asks what can happen when collaboration isn’t confined to proximity — when music becomes a meeting point rather than a performance. In Jesk’s world, the rules are flexible, the borders blurred, and the future wide open.
