After becoming a fixture in film soundtracks, Canadian singer-songwriter Jesse Marchant (aka JBM) is finally set to release his debut album July 27 in hopes of making a name for himself outside the realm of films.

Not Even In July features fantastic instrumentals, as expected from a musician who got his start on soundtracks. Years introduces the album with a beautiful mixture of strings and the plucking of an acoustic guitar, drawing the listener in slowly, but surely.

The acoustic guitar continues into the second track on this debut, Cleo’s Song. Simple, lovely and emotional describe not only the lyrics on this track, but the instrumental approach taken by JBM.

As the album continues, JBM’s vocals allude to those of many musical greats including Thom Yorke on that track July On the Sound and Neil Young during Cleo’s Song. Swallowing Daggers takes a darker approach in the lyrical scheme of things with a suicidal theme while the lyrics in Ambitions & War addresses the battle of some to get to the top of the social ladder, but In a Different Time turns back to hope with lyrics like “I think you’re gonna be fine.”

Not Even In July actually plays out like a film, minus the track Red October, which strays a bit from the overall flow of this debut. However, JBM manages to take the listener on the same journey as a protagonist in an Academy Award-winning drama, and just as is the case in many films, something new is revealed each time you listen to this piece.

JBM is one talented musician. He manages to display a real and raw emotion in every one of his songs that few musicians seem to be capable of doing these days. His instrumentals are certainly on par, and his vocal performance is up there as well. That is to say, Not Even In July is not an album to blast on your upcoming road trip or listen to at your summer party. It’s an album for those who appreciate genuine musical talent, which I do, so I’m giving this album an 8.4 out of 10.