Mesita

Mesita sounds like the internal monologue of a perfectionist. It is music built from thousands of tiny, shimmering pieces: rapid-fire guitar tapping that feels like raindrops on a tin roof, layered vocal harmonies that whisper directly into your ears, and drum patterns that skip and stutter with nervous energy. There is a profound sense of intimacy here, as if you are sitting in the room while James Cooley meticulously assembles these songs from the ground up.

What makes the project distinctive is the tension between its technical complexity and its raw emotional vulnerability. While the musicianship is often virtuosic, particularly the math-rock influenced guitar work, it never feels like showing off. Instead, the complexity serves to mirror the frantic nature of anxiety, grief, and self-reflection. The production is dense and often claustrophobic, using stereo space to create a world that feels both expansive and deeply private.

Newcomers should start with 'Here's to Nowhere' for the definitive blend of indie-rock hooks and intricate arrangements. For those who prefer a more electronic, polished edge, 'Future Proof' showcases his evolution into indietronica. If you want to hear the project at its most raw and personal, 'Littleton' provides a moving look at his history and the processing of loss.