Connor Riesen – Beginnings Vol. 3 (2026)
With the third volume of his Beginnings series, the aptly titled Beginnings Vol. 3, Connor Riesen is pushing the boundaries of his musicality. Through the 3 tracks of the EP, he is taking a new step in his musical journey as he expands his horizons while continuing to explore new styles with a foundation of jazz. He learnt to play the guitar by ear, purely for this EP, allowing him to showcase both the acoustic and electric guitar on the album.
He also did all the production for the EP and some of the writing, making it one of the most personal of the series. Combining these new steps with his years of piano playing, he is taking listeners on a new adventure through his sound. While this is the third volume of his Beginnings series, it is a fantastic standalone EP that really showcases what he has to offer us.
The EP opens with ‘Sparks’ and the gentle sounds of a strummed acoustic guitar. The guitar line rises up from the stillness and is met by an earthy beat that is easy in its swaying movement. Riesen’s vocals float over the top of the melody, adding to the easy vibes of the song. It is like a warm and gentle breeze that caresses your skin as you sit back on the grass and enjoy the warm afternoon sun. As the song progresses, there are bright plucked notes that shimmer like sunlight through the leaves of a tree. As you rest back into the richness of the soundscape, the vocals offer an apology for a past transgression tempered with the depths of love. It is a really beautiful song that carefully leads you into the EP while showcasing the sophistication that all the tracks have to offer. The smooth electric guitar line at the end of the track is a fantastic close.
‘I Know It’ has a brighter feeling to the opening acoustic guitar line as the melody loses the warmth of the opening track. There is a slightly heavier touch of jazz to the lower levels of the melody in this song. It is quite a different soundscape to the opening track, really highlighting the breadth of Riesen’s musicality. While different, there is a thread of sound that appears to connect them and this really comes through in the vocal performance. The softness of the opening track remains in the vocal line that continues to float over the movement of the instrument. The lyrics also continue a call-out to another person as they reach out for someone to be at their side. There is a cleaner, almost stark feeling to the track at times, but this gives way to a twinkle at the end of the track.
The EP comes to a close with ‘Song of Storms’ that deviates from the rest of the EP with a piano opening. There is a mischievous and playful vibe to the music that puts a little smile on your lips. The shuffle of jazzy beats and running line of the piano has you dancing down the path of the music. This is a slightly longer track to end with, but it brings a sense of closure through the movement of the melody. Where the other 2 tracks have clear messages through their vocals, this instrumental track seems to bring a sense of belonging and togetherness. The piano and drums dance with each other while the light, almost ambient hum of a vocal line swirls around like a coloured mist enveloping a dancing couple. The guitars that have been present throughout the EP make an appearance later in the track, bringing a new interplay and closeness to the song. It is like each instrument has a last story to add before the overall tale of the EP comes to an end.
Across the 3 tracks of Beginnings Vol. 3, Connor Riesen not only showcases his newly developed guitar skills, but creates a story that you don’t realise is being told until it all comes together. Between the melodic lines, lyrics and interplay of instrumentation, he really lets us know what he is able to musically achieve while transporting us into his immersive soundscapes.
Find out more about Connor Riesen on his official website, Instagram, YouTube and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
