Glimmer Of God
Okay, let me just say, I’m not giving this album a high rating just because it’s reppin’ Houston—Jean Dawson is the real deal. I’ve always thought he was solid, never like, top-tier, but consistently dropping tracks that I vibe with. Each album has its own thing going on, but you can always tell it’s him—he’s got this unique mix of pop and rock that just clicks. So when Glimmer of God was announced, I had high hopes. And honestly? Jean absolutely nailed it with this one.
The whole album is packed with bangers, blending alt-pop, synth-pop, and rock in a way that just works. It’s a quick listen too—only 42 minutes, so it’s perfect for a no-skip session. The opener, “Darlin’,” is a smooth start. The soft rock vibes are killer, and when the orchestral instruments come in? Bro, it’s next-level. Jean’s vocals are on point, too—he’s doing this thing where he layers his voice in ways that make him sound like he’s featuring on his own track, which I’m all about.
Then there's “Play Dead,” which goes hard. It’s this aggressive pop track with a nasty bass and 808s that hit you right in the chest. The whole vibe is menacing, and Jean’s vocals just add this infectious intensity. But it’s the switch-up in the middle that really grabs me. The bass takes over, and Jean’s voice flips into this angry-as-hell mode. It’s chaotic, in the best way.
Now, let’s talk about “Houston.” this was an early favorite because it released as a single about a month ago, but still, this track is fire. It’s a straight-up synth-pop jam with a simple but super catchy beat that’s been stuck in my head for days. Jean’s flow on this one is smooth, and his vocal inflections make it stand out from anything else you’ll hear. It's just one of those tracks that’s impossible not to play on repeat.
“You're Bleeding Everywhere” and “200 Cigarettes” are like, dreamy as hell. The alt-pop and synth vibes on these are angelic, especially the orchestration on “200 Cigarettes.” I didn’t expect this album to hit me with that kind of beauty, but Jean’s got a way of mixing heavy production with these ethereal moments that totally works.
And then there’s “P4IN,” which hits hard with some deep, bass-heavy production that sounds almost beautiful in its own dark way. Jean’s vocals are fire as always, and when those bass drops hit? Chef’s kiss. The whole track feels like a punch to the gut, but in the best possible way.
Now, I gotta say—Bubba and Electric Children? Those two tracks? By far my favorites on the album. But I’m gonna save the deep dive on those for their own review because they really deserve it. Trust me, they’re that good.
Finally, “Kollapse” wraps everything up in such a perfect way. The orchestration is gorgeous, and then Jean adds this heavy bass that just makes the track feel even more impactful. It’s short but leaves a big impression, which, honestly, is how you want an album to end.
My only complaint? Some tracks feel a little too short, like they could’ve built up into something even more epic. But honestly, it’s a minor thing. Overall, Jean Dawson really delivered with Glimmer of God. Each album he drops feels different, but they all have that signature sound. The production is fresh, the vocals are on another level, and it’s just a fun listen. Don’t sleep on this one.
JEAN DAWSON - GLIMMER OF GOD
RATING - 9.5/10
FAVORITE TRACKS - Bubba, Electric Children
GENRE - Jean Dawson