Erik Flaa Releases A New EP
A fresh release from Erik Flaa just dropped, delivering with it such a robust set of lyrics to go along with this progressive, slightly edgy, and very cinematic soundscape, and all of it together really has a way of engulfing you in the best ways possible.
The Storyline Mania EP consists of four tracks, and each one takes you through different musical journeys and moods, for that matter, with amazing guitar work that borders on some experimental approaches, along with again, these very detailed and almost descriptive style lyrics that let you paint pictures in your head as songs unfold.
The first and title track, "Storyline Mania", automatically pulls you right in, starting with this seemingly synth bass line that starts the track off, and it's very addictive, bringing to mind alternative pop elements, which the rest of the record certainly bears plenty of.
As this unfolds, you very quickly dive into the lyrics that start you off in third person, until you realize he's talking about himself. Either that or the character in the song refers to himself in the first person during the choruses.
This is brilliant simply because it's like reading a book. This pulls you into the story because the lyrics have such a description and a borderline brilliant way of naturally flowing.
This track is such a great introduction to the record simply because there are certain staples showcased in the rest of the EP, but it's also not the kind of record that you only listen to one song from.
This EP is meant to be heard in full. The songs feel like they interconnect with each other in different ways, and aside from that, listening to only one or even two songs from this record will not give you anywhere near the full spectrum of what the EP has to offer as a whole.
There are plenty of surprises around the corners, even within a four-song span.
One of my favorite tracks is the second one called 'Fiesta for My Failure", which comes through with a very personal approach but in a different way than the first song did.
You can tell this one certainly came from someplace real and was a little bit vulnerable, which I enjoyed because it showcased so much character.
This is one of the strongest elements the EP holds. It's got massive amounts of character all throughout it, and that's the kind of thing that you get wrapped up in when listening to the record.
There are all kinds of amazing guitar tones throughout this track, a little bit of twang, a lot of that cinematic push, a bit of an indie rock or even alternative rock underbelly at times, and this beautiful and kind of detailed honesty.
The next track, called 'The Fence", brings some mind and almost a doo-wop or Soul approach. The way the song is written feels like it's taken from something out of the 1950s or early '60s, and the vocal approach has this different level of soul to it.
Of course, this track also breeds a great rock backbone, but it's just done differently and really shows a little bit more diversity in the songwriting approaches Erik takes throughout the record.
This also gives you some more hints as to the slew of influences that must have helped create him as an artist.
The closing track of the record is called "Wave of Chance", and this song in particular feels the most cinematic out of all of them.
This one is a little dark, and you can feel that element of sullenness in the undertone of it.
It's also quite beautiful. The percussion and drumming have a very unique time signature, and the way the vocals and guitars bounce off that drumbeat is amazing.
For me, it was a little hard to follow at first listen, but once you get into that particular groove, it's outstanding.
This one was the most outside the box in my opinion, and I don't mean that lyrically, because the first and title track really takes the cake in terms of delivering lyrics that are beyond, but musically this one feels like it's got its own atmosphere altogether.
Again, I can't stress enough how all four of these songs need to be listened to together because that's the way this record was meant to be heard.
I also suggest listening to this woman with headphones on because it's by far, hands down, one of the best ways to hear it all.
There's a lot going on throughout the course of this release, and when you listen with headphones, you can pick up on not only more lyrical content but also the way the musical textures come together and how they're layered.
This was an outstanding release that really took me by surprise, but when it was all over, I had to reacclimate myself back to reality again, and that was the most refreshing thing for me.
Most certainly listen to this EP and see what it does for you.
