I was fortunate enough to get early access to a new work by Steve Nguyen — the renowned American producer and director whose projects have long been a part of major cinema and modern culture. As a reminder, Steve is a co-founder of the multimedia collective Studio APA and an experienced filmmaker. He has served as a production assistant at Universal Pictures, and his portfolio includes over fifty independent films, awards for animated projects (such as Hibakusha), and even the authorship of a children’s book, To Baby From Daddy.
This time, he presents a track titled “Jasmine,” co-created with Jorge Humberto Brenes, who, according to Spotify, handled the drums and synthesizers. In my opinion, his role in this chillhop piece cannot be overstated.
For me, Steve Nguyen’s lo-fi compositions have always transcended standard beats. Each of his releases is a reinterpretation of the genre, an attempt to inject new sounds borrowed from other styles while maintaining his signature touch. “Jasmine” is no exception. From the opening seconds, you feel that trademark lightness: fairytale motifs supported by the sounds of nature. It sounds like a Studio Ghibli production but in audio format. The meticulous attention to detail, with subtle piano and guitar fragments, feels like delicate, almost jewelry-like craftsmanship — much like the work of Hayao Miyazaki in his animated masterpieces.
I also want to highlight the contribution of Jorge Humberto Brenes. He built a rich, rather unconventional drum rhythm for chillhop. On one hand, this sets the track apart from the endless flow of monotonous beats on the other, it sounds so natural, as if this rhythm has existed since the time of the ancient gods. The synthesizer also plays a crucial role here. Synths aren’t very common in chillhop, and in “Jasmine,” it might seem slightly overdriven, almost crackling on the high notes (a distortion effect). But in reality, this is a conscious choice within a flawless master. This effect adds warmth, like listening to an old cassette player that has been gathering dust in your attic of memories for years. It’s a brilliant example of how a “cold” digital instrument can be turned into a living nostalgic symbol.
You might notice, as I did, that around the 1:17 mark, the track shifts toward an even more summery vibe. Light vocal layers appear, and I personally feel a nod to tropical lounge, dipping into the same drum rhythms heard earlier. Subconsciously, the track splits into two states: Spring and Summer.
Tracks with such attention to the smallest details are rare, especially in this era of conveyor-belt AI content. I would advise everyone to listen to “Jasmine” during the first warm rays of the coming spring to truly feel this inspired atmosphere of renewal. Thank Steve and Jorge for their craftsmanship — they have created something truly alive.
P.S. If you enjoyed the cinematic atmosphere of this track, be sure to check out our previous look at Steve Nguyen’s “Bluemound”, where he creates a perfect summer escape in the middle of winter.
