Reviewed by Paul Kerslake

This is the first release in an EP series of three from the Californian band which thematically will look at travel from air, sea and land; the bigger picture is the journeys that we all undertake through life. Eric Owyoung, the lead singer and writer, has an emotional and powerful voice with great range (think Morten Harket of A-Ha), and the five tracks on this new release put it to good use. Musically this is adventurous stuff, the majority of the performance undertaken by Eric himself, but additional musicians listed include TJ Hill on saw and theremin. Some of the songs' underscore is reminiscent of The Flaming Lips in their diversity, although never sounding too far out while others reflect the same dreamily melancholic air of Coldplay. "Close Your Eyes" is a standout, beautiful acoustic song that looks at trust and all that comes with it, it's one thing to say "I trust you", but then another thing entirely to follow that person into the dark ("Close your eyes this time, trust will be your light tonight"). This is an exceptional EP that is high concept but also avoiding oblique inaccessibility. I can't wait to hear the other two EPs in the series.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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