Esser

Braveface (Chocolate Industries)

By Christine Werthman
Published: August 14th, 2009 | 7:00am

Esser is young, 20-something Ben Esser, a former drummer turned computer-based musician who favors composing songs in the key of E. He hails from Essex in England and has been kicking up clouds of buzz long before Braveface, his debut album, showed up on shelves. The attention Esser receives could be a credit to his Flock Of Seagulls–style hairdo, but it would be better credited to his music — which sets crass, Cockney charm to catchy melodies and dance beats.

Damon Albarn, lead singer of Blur and fellow Essex native, immediately comes to mind when listening to Esser. It has more to do with the witty lyrical style and less with a blatant rip-off of Albarn’s music, as well as his similarly ranged vocals. Esser writes observatory lyrics, many of which deal with bad relationships. He shows off a dry sense of humor on lines like “I’ve got a problem / It’s called living” on “Headlock” and “Love is no excuse for bad art,” from “I Love You.”

Esser’s music centers around clean-cut, rhythmic sounds and synthesized and electronic elements, including some vocoder usage on the chorus of “Work It Out.” He does change things up on “Satisfied” by opening and ending the song with crackly, classical-style piano music, which continues throughout the song, but with the addition of handclaps. You will find the general guitar and bass sounds in these songs, but super melodic synthesizers, beats, and Esser’s nonchalant but playful vocal delivery make up the core of his music.

Esser is not creating anything mind-meltingly original on Braveface, but his melodies stand out, as do his lyrical smarts. He easily fits the classification of Brit pop, but there is more glamor and edge in his choice of sounds. There’s a little Robbie Williams in the mix, some Lily Allen, and ample amounts of sassy fun.

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