Jake Cassman – Idling High
On his 2025 debut album, Idling High, Jake Cassman displays his solicitude, profound lyricism, and satirical humor. The heart of this record has a nostalgic, yet modern feel to it, which Cassman exhibits beautifully. His eclectic style is a mix of indie rock, Americana, and even power pop, an accessible blend that keeps listeners engaged and excited. He often writes with a dark sense of humor, using it to tackle heavier topics like depression, stagnation, and self-esteem.
Cassman attended the University of Pennsylvania for a brief two years before he transferred to Berklee College of Music in Boston to pursue his music career. While music is his main forte, Cassman also expresses his comedic side in tracks such as “Asking for a Friend”, and “I think I’m Happy.” Both songs present his wry sense of humor through blunt, shameless, and sarcastic lyrics – “Ever look in the mirror, hate what you see? Asking for a friend.”
There is truly a song for every emotion on this album. “Thanks for Waking Me Up” is the perfect mix of soft and exciting rock; the title is fitting, as it genuinely lifts you up and puts you in a better mood. If you’re going for the opposite, anyone experiencing heartbreak, melancholic tracks like “I’m Still Here” and “Where Do I Start?” will hit you where it hurts, while simultaneously being the most relatable songs that almost feel like warm hugs. Each track on the album is truly unpredictable in the best way possible.
The album opener is titled “Controlled Burn”, a perfect start to the record ahead. The country-style guitar playing behind some of Cassman’s deepest lyrics beautifully conveys the message being portrayed. The hook being, “this burn’s the only thing I can control” captures how Cassman finds peace within feeling stable, even if it hurts him, which foreshadows feelings found across the entire album. More beautiful lyrics in the song include “throw all conscience to the wind” and “learn to live, not just survive”.
Another standout track on the record is called “Anna, I’m not Interesting.” Despite the humorous and dry title, this song is actually one of the most gut wrenching on the album. Cassman expresses intimate, vulnerable feelings with yearningly beautiful vocals, over a sweet and slow guitar tune. This song is even reminiscent of “Blackbird,” for any Beatles fans out there. There’s also “October Burning,” showcasing Cassman’s passionate vocals and perhaps the best echo-in-the-canyon sound that he so lovingly emulates.
This album is truly elevated by the unpredictability of each track, with sensational and unanticipated lyrics. Beyond that, the album is far from a boring listen. Each song will have you feeling something different than the one before. While some songs are perfect for jamming out in the car, some are meant for laying in your bed with a box of tissues nearby. The Los Angeles based singer’s Idling High is an absolute must listen, so grab your headphones and listen here.
Categorised in: Album Reviews
This post was written by Kennedy O'Brien