John Lebanon – Kite Without A String (2026)
I think it’s safe to say that regardless of your position in the world, reality in the 21st century is filled with crisis, confusion, frustration, hatred, disunity, and a little effed up if you ask me. War, malice, despair, disorder, animosity, spite – it’s all a melee of darkness. Yet, amidst the mire of discontent, there are always some lights; some happiness; something that removes that sting even if it’s for the briefest moments. In their EP, Kite Without A String, John Lebanon offers listeners an almost peek into their diary entry, looking beneath the tarnished surface. Penned over several years between Beirut and New England, the US-based band delve into that smaller, calmer sense of self-understanding to find balance in an untethered existence.
“The album explores themes of identity, belonging, faith, and the search for balance in an increasingly distracted world. Rather than offering grand statements, the songs focus on small moments: conversations, landscapes, memories, and the relationships that help us stay grounded.” – John Lebanon on Kite Without A String.
I might be analysing things a little too much when it comes to Kite Without A String, but I find it enlightening from the genres to the lyricism. Inserting the Arabic-lyrics single ‘Maksour’ into the English-lyric tracks makes for an intriguing change, but flutters with Arabic culture in Western society’s English landscape. Moreover, the lingering of Middle Eastern vibes is enhanced with traditional percussive Middle Eastern sounds in songs like ‘Maksour’ and ‘Self made world’. Even further above that, the consistent use of indie-folk and folk-rock highlights a commonality across different soundscapes, possibly hinting at a similarity within the existential diversity.
Like I said, I might be reading a little too much into that.
The opening track, ‘Hurricane Eyes’, introduces us to steady drums as an anchoring force across the EP from the outset to the last chord. Soaring guitars carry along a bass with some piano here and there, and percussion adding spice to the 21-minute release. Not an album with a rollercoaster effect, Kite Without A String is calming and soothing – almost a tranquil ride of lush melodies.
My favourite song is the final track, ‘I like to play’. Acoustic guitar and rich vocals sing lyrics like ”…these were moments that tore me from within / once I realised there was no place to go” hint at those painful moments, memories and experiences; yet, “don’t let them break you…” is an acknowledgement of the bad, but with a supportive empowerment showing that resilience and strength exist if you just trust yourself.
Is this a good EP? Yes, I think it is. It’s subdued, hushed and demure, yet it shouts with the inner thoughts of a person facing challenges but finding peace.
Find out more about John Lebanon on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Bandcamp, YouTube, Soundcloud and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
