There is a noticeable sense of movement within Jason Lenyer Buchanan’s new single ‘Gus Gus’. It’s the sound of an artist gradually changing shape in real time, allowing new environments and experiences to subtly alter the way his songs breathe.
Having relocated from Cheyenne to Portland, the singer-songwriter approaches this song with a different emotional texture to some of his earlier work. The most immediate shift comes through the piano, now placed at the centre of the arrangement instead of the acoustic guitar that has long anchored his songwriting. That decision quietly transforms the atmosphere of the track, as the chords unfold with greater openness, creating space for hesitation, reflection, and unresolved feeling to linger in the corners of the release.
There is a warmth running throughout ‘Gus Gus’ that feels deeply connected to Americana and folk traditions, but he avoids leaning too heavily on familiar genre comforts. Here, the track sits somewhere between intimate singer-songwriter confession and understated cinematic melancholy.
The musicians surrounding him understand that balance perfectly. Scott Mulvahill’s upright bass provides a gentle pulse beneath the arrangement, while Nate Leath adds delicate fiddle textures that drift through the song like passing memories. Jacob Schrodt keeps the percussion subtle and patient, giving the track a quiet sense of forward motion without disrupting its intimacy. Together, the ensemble feels like a group of musicians listening carefully to one another in real time.
There are moments where the track recalls the understated storytelling of artists like Jason Isbell or the reflective warmth of Ray LaMontagne, though his voice remains distinctly his own. His delivery carries a weathered sincerity that suits the song’s introspective tone, never forcing sentiment where quiet observation will suffice.
As a standalone release, ‘Gus Gus’ feels significant precisely because of its modesty. Jason Lenyer Buchanan offers a thoughtful, carefully crafted song that captures an artist learning how to evolve without abandoning the emotional honesty that brought him here in the first place.
