Infusing a tasteful amount of genres into his highly specific sound, we’re loving everything about Dean Johanesen’s latest, “The Wizard of Menlo Park”. Keep reading for a closer look into the track, in addition to a background on this artist.

Somewhere between “speakeasy-era Americana and swingin’ Hot Club Jazz”, Dean Johanesen is delicately putting together a sound that so nicely blends together sounds from the past, present, and future. His newest song is called “The Wizard of Menlo Park” and takes many inspirations from what this New York-native was raised on growing up. As this was our introduction to the artist, we didn’t quite know what to expect, but by the end we found such a nice warmth and sincerity through this song. Without a doubt, it’s both an artist and a single that we’re urging everyone out there to listen to.

Highly reminiscent of Father John Misty’s newest record, it’s really been this year that we’ve fallen in love with this particular sound. Through the song’s five minute runtime, Dean nearly immediately immerses the listener into another atmosphere and decade through his unique instrumental choices that focus heavily on horns to really set the mood. Lyrically speaking, he’s also shown extreme great strength in his songwriting, effortlessly painting a picture for the listener to connect the dots through his words. Not only are you imagining what’s happening, but it certainly doesn’t hurt that the entire vibe makes you feel like you’ve transported 100 years into the past. In terms of crafting the experience, he’s gone above and beyond in nailing every facet of what make this song true to form of its influences.

With an all new album on the way titled Cautionary Tales, slated for a February 2023 release, we can all expect more tunes in the same vein as this. We’ve got a strong suspicion that thematically, things will be similar through its storytelling of 1930’s history, historical fiction, and beyond. Honestly, whether you’re more of a lyrics person or just listen to music for the feeling it gives you, Dean Johanesen has you covered in all regards.

So with all that being said, please let us direct you to the links below in order to listen, follow along, and of course to keep updated with all future releases.

Listen to “The Wizard of Menlo Park”

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Dean Johanesen blends genres of the past on single, "The Wizard of Menlo Park"