Music comes and goes, going through fads and cycles, and though its recording attempts to immortalize it, some music simply fades. When a song becomes a landmark, experiencing it feels like a privilege of sorts – Jacob Banks delivers that feeling with his opus ‘Just When I Thought’.

With barely an introduction, ‘Just When I Thought’ makes its entrance with fizzy synth pads moving the song forward with an electric drumkit punching the ‘twos’ and ‘fours’ slow-like at the pilots’ seat. Jacob’s lamenting and sorrowful vocals take helm with the help of a soft choir during the choruses. Instruments continue to build with each passing measure, building up to something not immediately obvious. The energies are already quite high despite the slow tempo, and the ambitious rhythm doesn’t leave much room for something to explode out of what’s already being paved. So, what follows? Jacob has already blessed the listener with gorgeous runs and heart-breaking melodies. 

And then the song fades to a stop halfway through.

A piano and organ duo enter the scene, with hints of vocal runs by Jacob Banks to foreshadow what’s to come. Then the full choir comes in, singing the repeating chorus melody over a different time signature and a TOTALLY different feel. The drums fill us into an intro, and then the grooves kick in; we’ve entered full gospel mode. Jacob shifts gears and embodies a raspy tone that fits the change of scenery perfectly, highlighting the tear-jerkingly beautiful chorus, with more and more elements piling in to add to the dynamics. The song ends with an electric guitar fading all the instruments, itself included, until only the choir is left singing the chorus melody one last time. 

‘Just When I Thought’ is a journey, a masterpiece of modern songwriting and ambition. Both its consistency and lack thereof are worth of study, and the emotions lie deep beneath many layers of expertly crafted melodies, harmonies, and rhythms. Jacob Banks hit stride with his newest song, and what’s to come is as promising as this song is enjoyable.

Author: Nicholas Gaudet

Music producer and writer from Dieppe, Canada.