'Forest Fires EP' by Axel Flóvent

Forest Fires EP
by Axel Flóvent
Release Date: 7th July 2015


Tracklist: Forest Fires / Dancers / Beach / Nightlife

Forest Fires is a brilliant debut for Icelandic singer-songwriter Axel Flóvent, released last summer of 2015, where it captures you and sends you to distant places and picturesque images of his homeland. The EP consists of four tracks that allow you to wander through the poetic imagery of his lyrics and space created throughout Forest Fires.  
The EP is introduced with the title track Forest FiresForest Fires throws you straight into his sound, descending deep into the enveloping soundscape where it submerses you into this painted picture, "picture full of light". The track slowly builds with his gently strummed chords on guitar, to the rich piano chords that flow straight into his voice lamenting the story depicted through his lyrics. From Forest Fires to Dancers - a track full of instrumental light from the beginning, sounding high melodic piano chords in the forefront of the texture. ["If we were dancers, if we were dancers / Light would count our steps and nothing would stop us / The brighter it gets / There's no way to go around."] Throughout the EP an entire atmosphere is discovered through the use of sparse and subtle arrangements. 
Beach, introduced with what sounds like a sample of a windy beach soundscape, that perfectly illustrates and laments individuals how love can build so quickly and be taken away within an instant.  "The beach is burning even though it's raining / your screams are killing / and you don't have a clue." Flóvent’s voice is haunting, captivating the listener through layers of voices that add to the light arrangement of the orchestrated soundscape. Nightlife is driven by the piano, introduced with full deep chords, where it leads his voice along the path of the track. This final song feels more intimate than the rest, leading into a style that is reminiscent of Justin Vernon's stunning creations, surrounding the senses with sustained piano that consumes the listener into their own space.
Although the EP takes a minimalist approach the results are awe-inspiring. Axel Flóvent is definitely an artist to keep your eye on throughout 2016. If you haven't already been introduced to his music, have a listen below. 

Charlotte

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