REVIEW: Ehson Hashemian – ‘Believe’

Ehson Hashemian’s fourth solo LP ‘Believe’ feels like a long-anticipated exhale, an artist stepping fully into his own light after years of creative reinvention. While many listeners will recognise his earlier fingerprints on Young the Giant’s alt-rock breakout, Hashemian’s latest work bears almost no resemblance to that youthful roar. Instead, ‘Believe’ is a richly textured collection that trades bombast for nuance, leaning on subtle production choices, diaristic lyrics, and quietly spectacular musicianship.

From the opening track ‘Accept’, Hashemian signals his intention to go deeper. His multi-instrumentalist background shines throughout. He frequently blurs the line between organic and synthetic, burying analogue synth burbles beneath finger-picked guitars. The album’s pacing benefits from these surprises; just as a song settles into familiar territory, an unexpected timbre nudges it someplace new.

Opener ‘Accept’ offers the closest thing to a radio single, riding a pulsing bass groove and shimmering chorus hook. It’s a small act of defiance that encapsulates the album’s spirit; accessible, but unwilling to sacrifice curiosity.

Clocking in at around one hour in length, ‘Believe’ never overstays its welcome. Instead, it invites replay, each spin revealing new instrumental flourishes or lyrical turns of phrase. Hashemian has crafted a work that rewards close listening while remaining gorgeously melodic on the surface, an increasingly rare balance.

With ‘Believe’, Ehson Hashemian proves that his artistic evolution is far from finished. The record is a maturation in his confidence to explore stillness, and the bravery to foreground vulnerability. For longtime followers, it’s a gratifying progression; for newcomers, it’s a captivating introduction to a songwriter unafraid to stake his claim in quieter territory. Either way, ‘Believe’ is an album that earns exactly what its title suggests.