TRACKS: Mark Herbert reviews Justin Heter Pan’s latest album 'Various Conditions'

When you first press play on track one of Justin Heter Pan's latest album “Various Conditions,” your ears are greeted with a soundscape of western surf rock. “Desert Ghost” builds and flows like the sands whipped wildly by the wind and gusts driven like the tide. Pockets of trance weave in, and grains of sand stick to cactus and sagebrush for a moment before trickling down like an hourglass—reminding us of our mortality as the title implies. There is something ethereal in these 4 minutes and 37 seconds of musical storytelling … without a single word spoken.

The next track, “When the Day is Done,” starts off at a much more laid back pace and brings in Justin's vocals as he tells another story in song; one that encourages us to take some time to remember to have fun along the way. This one features great lead guitar pockets and the harmonica playing is a nice addition to the album.

Justin previously released this next song as a single and recently recorded a live version for submission to NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series. “Be Lovely” gives us a nice funky beat with a literal list of things to do for optimal happiness. It's a jam track with a recipe for success with some great flute playing by Ciara Rose. 

We catch more waves in track 4, “Cold Water Plunge,” another surf jam instrumental that submerges listeners in a chilling soundscape. Take a dip with a great guitar-driven tune.

 As the ice caps melt, “Big Flood” takes us to a bluesy detour with a reoccurring line… “the bridge is out, the bridge is out, gotta find another route.” As our singer-songwriter encourages us to seek higher ground, Justin leaves us with a nice jammy outro that remerges with an intro into track number 6: “Dance Trance” brings us right back into the groove with a mystic set of dance instructions and dynamic shifts. 

Tracks 7 and 8 bring us back to surf rock but with more of a reggae flare in “Surfing Stormy Seas” features more melodica and subtle background flutes, again added by Ciara Rose. Another instrumental with heavy ocean sounds  and subversive waves, low-driving bass gives a darker more mysterious element to the album. 

“Skate Song” brings punk flavor with a driving rhythm and a repetitive vocal chant—an easy earworm that might get stuck in your head, especially if you were shredding the bowl at the skate park.

Aptly named, the last track on the album is “Nothing Lasts Forever." It is a call to action and Justin remarks on social injustices and economic disparity in an address to the powers that be. Tongue-in-cheek lyrics set to a blues rock composition make this one of my favorites on the album and a great note to end on.

I really enjoyed listening to all 10 tracks off of this self-recorded and produced album. As such, it’s especially important to support these local releases by adding them to your playlists on your favorite platform, digital or physical collection. Plus, look out for Justin Heter Pan’s next live performance solo (or with one of his many bands) on IG @jheterpan

Catch Justin Heter Pan next at a free show at Shaka's Tacos at Ironclad Golf Course in Hampstead on Saturday. March 7 at 12 p.m.