Jason Lenyer Buchanan – Gus Gus (2026)
Raised in small towns and surrounded by open landscapes, Jason Lenyer Buchanan weaves intimate and honest narratives into warm, comforting melodies. Celebrating life that carried him from Southeast Texas to Wyoming, the US-based troubadour tackles the good parts, the bad parts, and the in-between parts of human experience. This is my introduction to Buchanan, but, for some reason, his music seems familiar, cosy, and like an old friend strumming on the guitar as you drink your cup of tea. Join us as we delve into his latest single, ‘Gus Gus’.
Marking a personal milestone with ‘Gus Gus’, this single has incredible significance as the first song recorded since Buchanan’s relocation from Cheyenne to Portland. Recorded by Andy Jones, with mixing and mastering by Joel Rousseau, ‘Gus Gus’ showcases Buchanan’s transition, his pivotal step, and his evolution as a musician. He noted that “a lot is changing, but a lot is staying the same – my voice, my collaborators and the heart behind the song…” Joined by Nate Leath (fiddle), Scott Mulvahill (upright bass), and Jacob Schrodt (drums), Buchanan shifts from his acoustic guitar to the piano and a “different emotional palette”.
Not necessarily slower nor speedier than previous songs like ‘When You Know You Know’ or 2025’s ‘Gangrene’, ‘Gus Gus’ retains a comfortable pace. Its more stripped-back, barebones element makes it appear steadier, stabler, and languid. Simplistic in a way, the track hits the right notes and plucks at your heartstrings without any bells or whistles. Buchanan’s sweet piano blends with Mulvahill’s bass, while Schrodt’s drums keep time with steady, deliberate beats. The fiddle brings a flavour of its own, dancing across with a warm tone and Americana flair.
The melody itself is charming, elegant and sophisticated, but it is the vocals that place that proverbial cherry on the top. Tranquil, soft and gentle, it brings that aforementioned comfort and really places Buchanan as an old friend having a cosy conversation. Brimming with sincerity, you can’t dislike ‘Gus Gus’, and I am eager to hear more from this talented musician.
Find out more about Jason Lenyer Buchanan on his official website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Bandcamp and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
