There’s something about Harrison Gesser that feels like a discovery you want to keep to yourself—at least for a while—before the world catches on. It’s not just the way his songs land somewhere between familiar and unplaceable, or how his voice leans in with just enough grit to make you believe every word. It’s the sense that he’s not trying to play the game the way most do. His new single, Pangaea, confirms that suspicion.
The track doesn’t arrive with flashing lights or a ready-made explanation. Instead, it pulls you in with an easy groove and a lyric that seems light on the surface until you stop to think about it. Pangaea—named after the last supercontinent—takes the idea of a connected Earth and weaves it into a set of questions about what people might be like if land and sea didn’t divide us. Would there still be borders? Would someone be stamping your passport? Would we still find ways to pick sides? Gesser doesn’t hand over the answers. He leaves room for you to sit with the thought while the music keeps you moving.
Born in 2004, this Florida-based talent has been behind an instrument for as long as he can remember. By age five, he was banging out rhythms on a homemade drum kit of pots and pans. From there, it was drums and percussion in orchestras, jazz ensembles, and school bands—along with time spent in metal and experimental projects. At sixteen, he fronted the post-punk duo Emergency Staircase, handling vocals, drums, piano, and songwriting. Their album Rise & Shine made modest waves, but more importantly, it marked the first time Gesser stepped into the role of leading a project from the inside out.
Later, at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music on a full scholarship, he found himself soaking up jazz, rap, and music from across the globe. It didn’t narrow his style—it just widened the possibilities. By 2024, he was releasing solo work that didn’t feel tied to a single genre. His debut single Normal moved effortlessly between moods and styles. Then came Just One Man, Mountain With You, and The Amnesia Song, each different in style but linked by sharp songwriting and a knack for hooks that hang around.
With Pangaea, he moves closer to defining what his music sounds like when it’s entirely his own. It has the punch and shimmer of indie pop, the looseness of alt rock, and a production style that feels polished without being overdone. The rhythm bounces just enough to keep it in your head, while his vocal delivery keeps you leaning in—half wondering what he’s about to say next.
Part of the charm is that he doesn’t feel the need to explain every line. “If there’s anything I want people to hear in these songs,” he says, “it’s that they are unapologetically me and my personality… I want listeners to take away their own message and interpretation all while singing the melody or feeling like they’ve just heard a really catchy tune.”
The recording came together with a mix of close collaborators and seasoned players. Alongside Gesser’s vocals and drums, Ronnie Gesser contributed background vocals, vocal arrangements, and co-production. Jeff Pevar handled guitar and bass. Noah Hansfield brought in synthesizers, drum programming, arranging, and additional guitars. Engineering duties were shared between Hansfield and George Thompson.
Lyrically, Pangaea balances wide-angle imagery with smaller, more personal moments. The continents become a family of squabbling brothers, while other lines slip into closeness—like “around you she sleeps so tight.” The chorus distills the big idea into a simple, singable question: Would you need a passport to see Pangaea’s islands? Would the world be way more fair if Pangaea was your friend? It’s catchy, but it also makes you pause for a second before joining in.
For anyone just discovering Harrison Gesser, Pangaea is a strong introduction. It’s approachable without losing its edge, and it works whether you want to think about the message or just enjoy the sound. For listeners who have been with him since Normal, it feels like another step forward—one that hints at what’s coming with his debut album and upcoming singles The Lord And I Are Leaving Town and Let Em Go.
There’s a video for Pangaea too, and it’s worth a watch. But maybe start with the song. Let it play a few times, hear how the layers open up, and then dig into the rest of his catalog. Chances are, you’ll end up wanting to know where he’s headed next. And with songs like Pangaea, the work speaks plenty.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6Pkx16dXgkPS9QjyOGkMit
Youtube: https://youtu.be/bW9K-fm1Nsg
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DNBNAqKsS2W