Review JONATHAN HULTÉN “Eyes of the Living Night”

Every end is also the beginning of something new. This is what happened when guitarist Jonathan Hultén left Tribulation to start a solo career and with “Eyes of the Living Night” the Swedish songwriter releases his second album with 12 new songs.

As we know from the debut album “Chants from Another Place”, Hultén has chosen a different path than the one we know from Tribulation. Instead of leading a band, we see and listen to a one-man project. It is Hultén’s voice and his guitar that create a unique magic. Listening to songs like the very touching “RIverflame” you can clearly feel what this music is about. It is a peaceful and very atmospheric spirit that runs through the album. Instead of relying on loud riffs, it’s the emotional impact that is the unique factor of Jonathan Hultén’s music.

One song that was released as a lead single is “Falling Mirages”. It is a rather light-hearted song, but with a serious lyrical approach. It is about the risk of silence in a relationship, which can become a heavy burden. At the same time, potential days of trouble can be overcome if the foundation of such a relation is solid and strong. It is this essence of belief that runs through the song, which resonates with a rather positive swing. “Falling Mirage” is a good example of the album’s lyrical concept. Hultén’s lyrics deal with things like isolation, personal growth, but also the search for meaning is reflected in these songs. Lyrics and music interact with each other, resulting in stunning songs.

What impresses me is that the songs on the album are stripped down to their essence and at the same time unfold a lot of impact, just not in a traditional sense. It is more of a holistic approach to art in general and music in particular that creates a very special dynamic.

It’s the soundscapes, sometimes gray, sometimes more colorful, that fascinate, and you just enjoy listening to songs like the haunting “Dawn”.

Towards the end of the album we arrive at “A Path is Found”, a one minute instrumental that leads you to “Starbather”. The final track on the album is a poetic finale that goes straight to the heart. Driven by a bluesy vibe and boiled down to its essence, the song is still rich in emotion and soulful acoustics.

“Eyes of the Living Night” is an exceptional album. It’s a blend of ambient, blues and electronica, spiced up with an essence of rock. It is an emotional journey that requires focus. It is an album that unfolds new details every time you listen to it. It is a sublime musical escape room from the hectic outside world.