motel void

MJ Jackson is a multi-instrumentalist performing under the moniker Cheapskate, whose previous album, Stumbling, was released two years ago. Now he returns with a new six-track EP titled BEAMS (the final two tracks are remixes), and it’s a perfectly timed release for the early days of summer.

Right from the opening track, The Sea, the atmosphere is effortlessly smooth, stylish, and relaxed – one of the most elegant songs I’ve heard in a long while. It transported me to memories of Sicily: after a day spent winding through scenic landscapes, you end up on the balcony of a fifth-floor apartment in Palermo, a drink in hand, watching the sun dip below the horizon. The subtle jazz undertones are enriched by a female vocal that knows exactly when to step in – graceful, understated, and captivating.

The second song, Late Nights, leans more into acoustic textures and opens as a tender duet. It feels like an indie-pop jam wrapped in a lo-fi, jazz-inflected haze. If The Sea took us to a hotel terrace, Late Nights brings us indoors to a softly lit room, watching clouds drift across a violet sky. The whispery vocals here are especially effective, drawing you into a private space.

S.U.N.S.H.I.N.E. continues this dreamy progression with a track so relaxed, you can practically feel the sun on your skin. In my mind, I’m on a beach now – eyes half-closed, breeze rustling through the air. The warm, lazy instrumentation creates a dreamy atmosphere, and the synth work deserves special mention – it evokes the chillier, more psychedelic moments of The Doors, though filtered through a distinctly modern lens.

The most upbeat track arrives near the end: Easy. While it still holds onto the jazzy, sun-drenched vibe of the EP, this one transports me from the beach to an outdoor café just steps away from the shore, where a technically skilled band plays as the sky deepens into twilight. Built around a talk-sung vocal, the track leans into experimental territory, offering a satisfying contrast to the more subdued songs that precede it.

The EP concludes with two remixes—or “seamixes”—crafted by Jim Noir. While I personally prefer the original versions, I have to tip my hat to these reworks. They push the songs into slightly more unsettling, off-kilter terrain and prove just how strong Cheapskate’s songwriting is: the core of the songs holds up beautifully in these new, more abstract arrangements. These remixes brought to mind the work of Robert Wyatt.

In short, BEAMS is a highly recommended listen for those who appreciate richly atmospheric, tastefully arranged music crafted with care and intention. It’s a soundtrack for sun-dappled moments, quiet reflections, and breezy escapes.

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