Singer/songwriter Mark Henry Ham makes a splash with his new album Casper. Ham brings back the magic of Americana with a collection of songs he’s been working on over the last few years. They all come together on Casper, the vivacious feel-good album full of anthems and love songs that already feel like familiar favorites. Ham masterfully revitalizes the genre by putting his own contemporary spin on every track. Ham’s not afraid to rock out, to lean into folk melodies, or to get real. Casper is able to maintain a grounded in its lyrics as the melodies migrate from rock to blues, offering listeners a eclectic listening experience. Ham is able to tap into the essence of Americana on Casper and make it his own. The result? An incredibly fun and heartfelt album that was made to listen to all summer long.
Right off the bat I’m entranced by how nostalgic every song on Casper feels even though I’m listening to it for the first time. There’s a wholesomeness to Ham’s vocals and lyrics that distinguishes Casper from other Americana albums I’ve heard. One of the cornerstones of the genre is its ability to make you feel at home, Casper has the same ability. No matter what Ham is singing about, whether its heartbreak or lessons learned, you feel seen and heard by him. Every track on Casper feels like a collection of mini movies that are being scored live. Ham’s narrative songwriting style is what sets him apart as an artist. He is able to put universal struggles and feelings into picturesque settings that reach for our memories. He takes the personal and combines it with lush imagery and shared experiences that induce strong feelings of empathy. I was swept up into every song like it was a chapter in a book.
I was most intrigued by the opening track “Oh Simone” and closing track “I Wish I Could See Your Smile Once Again.” These two songs highlight Ham’s artistic and vocal range beautifully. They also serve as stark opposites in tone, melody, and feeling but share the vivid imagery that Ham does so well. They are perfect bookends, encapsulating the heartfelt joy and vulnerability that is Casper. “Oh Simone” is just plain cool. It has an easy-going moody guitar that makes you sway instantly, Ham’s hearty vocals are on full display as he croons about the enigmatic Simone. This track praises the mystery of Simone and how she helps Ham be a better person. It’s a love song, if I’ve ever heard one and “I Wish I Could See Your Smile Once Again” is its tear-jerking counterpart. Set to a softer folk melody, Ham sings of his desire to see the smile of someone who has passed away. “I Wish I Could See Your Smile Once Again” is a masterful song on grief and memory. Ham expounds on the nature of regret as he sings about mistakes he’s made in their relationship and the things he wish he could go back and change or say. Its a remarkable song that captures the difficulty of loss and the passing of time. These two tracks perfectly represent Ham as an artist.
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The production on Casper is on another level. Whether its delicate folk melodies or heavy rock-n-roll drumbeats and guitar riffs, Ham is mastering them. He’s really on the pulse of his music, matching the tone of each song to the correct sound and feeling. “Oh Simone” keeps Ham’s vocals front and center while vivacious drums and guitars support him. The arrangements on Casper are incredibly thought out and well done. Each sound is crisp and syncopated, allowing Ham to add texture to his voice when he wants to. “Oh Simone” is designed in a way that lets Ham’s vocals open up and stretch out while “I Wish I Could See Your Smile Once Again” leans into his soft and airy vocals. All of these details contribute to the overall warmth that emanates from this album.
Mark Henry Ham’s new album Casper is one to watch out for. This is just the beginning for the singer/songwriter who is already mastering the ability to empathize with his listeners. With an envious vocal range and artistic openness that allows him to explore whatever genre he fancies, the future is limitless for Ham. I’m excited to see where he takes his sound and what other subjects he’ll shed some wisdom on. Casper is the perfect album to listen to on a sleepy sunny afternoon, trust me, you won’t regret it! Check out Casper, out now!
Claire Uebelacker