Detours: Jad Montenegro's 2nd Extended Play (EP)

After what seemed like forever, Jad Montenegro is finally back with their second EP, Detours, released earlier this year. Jad Montenegro is a Davao-based self-titled band composed of Jad Montenegro (guitar, vocals), Dave Ibao (guitar, backing vocals), Eric Luzada (lead guitar), PjoeSabanpan (bass) and Carlo Garcia (drums, backing vocals). Even in this day and age, the substantial feeling of being able to hear and listen to the soul of a song lies on the romance that plunking on the strings of an acoustic guitar can give. Jad Montenegro proved this premise de facto as they integrate an interplay folk-sounding guitar riffs and dynamic drum patterns to create a more intimate but non-boring approach. Their six track second EP, Detours, is great for any indie music lover out there who has an old soul.

                                                                                                                                                                                                        Photo by: Kirvy Waga

The first EP Track Over gives you that chill country vibe which is a suggestive way to start off an album that aims to detour from mainstream media’s usual sound. It is a great track and can easily become a favorite to a first time listener. Another groovy song called Complicated follows, and the upbeat mood is sustained. This song is an interesting mix of Kitchie Nadal-esque voice quality perfectly combined with a background instrumentals that somehow resemble that of The Naked and Famous creation. The clapping effect incorporated somewhere in the middle of the song which is accompanied by subtle drumbeats is also quite a unique idea. It is a smooth rhythm that makes you want to bob your head and take in the beat entirely. Dreamer and Guitarman on the other hand, which are a little mellower compared to the previous songs, and are mostly just accompanied by guitar shows off Jad’s unruffled and cool vocals.