Artists You Should Know: Jesse Barerra
Jesse Barerra
A sense of familiarity and comfort comes with listening to a track produced by Jesse Barrera. He is a highly skilled producer and songwriter. He has worked with many talented artists to make his musical visions come true. Barrera has found his sound, though. Many of the tracks he releases today sound the same as they did two years ago. To some, this may not bother them. There is something to be said about the practicality of his releases sounding relatively the same.
Nonetheless, he has made a name for himself. Barrera has found a way to stick to his roots and morale as a producer while discovering stardom. For him, production is about more than making a track that will become a big hit. It is about the producer being able to fulfill and help execute the vision of the artists.
Barrera often collaborates with other artists, mainly vocalists. His most famous track, "Casual," was released alongside Johnny Stimson and Jeff Bernat. This track is the perfect introduction to Barrera, as it is an easy listen, and this can be classified as some of his best work. The three wrote it as a team, but Barrera was named sole producer. Barrera gave every aspect of the production the most attention. It is based within the alternative genre, which seems to be Barrera's forté. It is laid back, with a smooth and relaxing bassline that hits the sweet spot of the ear. The guitar is light and fluffy, along with the track’s synthesizers and other ear candy. One thing that stands out about Barrera's work is his attention to the composition of his tracks. The chord progression in this track is groovy and fits the track perfectly. It is no surprise that this track is the most popular in his discography. It is reminiscent of Daniel Caesar, and many people enjoy this music.
Along with his work behind the boards, Barrera is a highly talented guitar player. His style is distinct, and the way he handles his instrument is spotless. "Constant" is a track where he shows off his skills as a guitarist. The chord progression or strum pattern isn't challenging, but he plays with a lot of control. There aren't many chords, but they constantly change every few beats. Despite this, Barrera maintains the relaxed tone of the track and keeps the guitar soft. In terms of songwriting, this track is one of Barrera's best works. The concept is cheesy, yes. It is not overdone, though. The chorus is catchy, and the verses and pre-choruses are very dynamic. This track will remind you of something that Shawn Mendes would sing. The harmonies are gorgeous, and the delivery is rather passionate. Barrera also added layers of brass instruments, which gives the track more dimension.
"Hail Mary" is darker than the rest of his discography. It is much more rhythmic than the rest of his tracks and shows how diverse Barrera is with his production. Barrera allows many areas of the track to be emptier, with just drums, vocals, and bass during the pre-choruses. The bass line in this track is also groovier than the rest, and he is proving his abilities to the world. His guitar skills shine through as he takes on playing a more rhythmic part. The track is balanced perfectly; there are no overbearing elements. The vocals have body, and it feels like the listener is in an echoey room listening to the vocals live. It is captivating and proves he can step out of his comfort zone. So, he should do that more often. His discography has many standout tracks, but as a solo artist, his discography needs to be more varied. He possesses an extensive skill set and can put out more than he is currently. He has worked hard and does deserve his stardom. But to keep it, something must change.
