Genre/Influences: Ambient-pop, electro-ambient.

Format: Digital.

Background/Info: “Surrender & Evolve” is the second EP by Essence Of Mind front manErlend Eilertsen. On the first EP “Shine Our Lights” he explored electro- ambient fields, which sound inspired by some pioneers of the electronic music scene. This is the next step revealing five songs meant as a cure to our deepest traumas and frights.

Content: You directly recognize the prosper sound universe featured at “Shine Our Lights”, which has something retro-like, but this time mixed with more explicit pop elements. The songs are recovered with melody lines, which reminds me of the evasive mood of OMD’s legendary “Maid Of Orleans”. The vocals have something linear and yet expressing some emotions. The EP features 4 new songs plus an “Expanded”-edit of the title track.

+ + + : Lights A.M remains the most ambient-driven project I’ve ever heard on Alfa Matrix. It indeed sounds as a cure to leave troubles and sources of stress away for a while. This EP is an invitation to relax, a kind of sonic meditation. Sound-wiseErlend Eilertsen realized a real tour de force, this project being something totally new and for sure a new chapter in the musician’s career. I like the vintage sound aspect running through the work while the slow rhythm gets it all more accessible.

– – – : Lights A.M is not what I would call a hit machine! This is music to dream away and simply disconnect you from reality. I experienced the songs as being a little bit linear, which is an element that also comes through in vocals’ production.

Conclusion: This new EP is somewhat different from the previous one, but in the end also very complementary. Music for electro-ambient lovers. 

Best songs: “Little Stars”, “Surrender & Evolve”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.facebook.com/lightsaftermidnight

Label: www.alfa–matrix.com / www.facebook.com/Alfa.Matrix