Jean Dawson’s ‘CHAOS NOW*’ is an exercise in empathy and self-reflection

Listening to Jean Dawson’s music feels like the post-genre future we were promised at the outset of the 21st century. Sure, genres like rock and hip hop have played together in the past, as far back as the ’80s, but Dawson’s embrace of so many different sounds, styles and ideas feel truly organic.

Dawson grew up in Tijuana, Mexico, routinely spending hours crossing the border to go to school in San Diego. His influences are as wide as you might expect from someone in Gen Z: Brockhampton, Nirvana, Odd Future and The Smiths are just a few. His latest album, CHAOS NOW*, continues an exploration of popular music that is exciting and surprising.