Jake Cassman is a California-based musician, formerly the frontman of the band Drunken Logic, now stepping out on his own. His solo work blends genres such as indie folk, country, indie rock, and power pop. Cassman’s debut EP, Idling High, showcases a wide emotional and sonic range.
The record opens with Controlled Burn – a gentle ambient introduction that slowly blooms with acoustic guitar and lush atmospherics. When Cassman’s voice enters, it’s immediately clear that his vocals are one of his greatest strengths. The song builds gracefully with tambourine, background harmonies, and a touch of grandeur that makes for a stunning opener.
The following Thanks for Waking Me Up shifts gears completely – a burst of vintage rock energy that feels straight out of the 1970s. Cassman sounds right at home beside names like Tom Petty or, among his contemporaries, Jason Isbell. The track brims with drive and instrumental precision, and one can easily imagine it hitting even harder live.
Across the record, Cassman moves fluidly between styles. Asking for a Friend leans into a poppier direction, evoking early Death Cab for Cutie with its understated melancholy and effortless charm. Cassman’s slightly ironic sense of humor also comes through here, adding an interesting layer of variation to the album. Although I’m not usually a fan of humor in music, here — as in I Think I’m Happy (this track starts from a piano base and channels Elton John before transforming into a fuller pop-rock anthem) — it works as a refreshing touch.
Among the standouts are Cassman’s softer, more emotional moments — Anna, I’m Not Interesting continues the acoustic thread from the opener, beautifully evolving with echoing drums that lift the song toward its poignant finale. We All Look the Same deepens that mood with a rich band sound reminiscent of Jason Isbell’s The 400 Unit, full of warmth and subtle detail.
From the record’s second half, Can You Be OK shines as a personal highlight. It distills Cassman’s strengths – catchy melodies, emotional depth, strong vocals, and an evolving arrangement that builds from acoustic intimacy to a climactic guitar solo and powerful close.
The tender October Burning has a Zach Bryan–like country feel, with backing vocals that add depth and texture to this moving reflection on the California wildfires. Finally, I’m Still Here strips everything back – beginning with an ambient simplicity before moving into a jazzy, gospel-tinged finale where Cassman’s commanding voice takes center stage. It’s a soulful and deeply satisfying ending.
Idling High was released gradually over the past year, with I’m Still Here marking its completion. The project showcases Cassman’s versatility and emotional honesty – a debut that feels both confident and intimate, occasionally playful, and one that firmly establishes him as a solo artist worth watching.
This album was discovered via Submit Hub
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