Fernando’s Eyes continues strong songwriting and savvy sense for dark atmospherics with Bonus Tracks & Remixes, a companion release to Center of Your World that highlights the creative orbit surrounding his upcoming solo chapter. Gathering rare B-sides, new reworkings, and unreleased material — including a cover of White Lies’ “Change” — the collection spotlights Fernando Honorato’s evolving artistry as he expands beyond his work with Principe Valiente.
The artist’s year has been a notably successful one — with both the A Million Times EP and full-length Center of Your World catching our ears with their atmospheric, melodic sounds.
Kicking off the collection, “Higher Ground” wastes no time showing a post-punk embrace — strutting a murky, delectable bass line that’s quickly complemented by nocturnal, buzzy synths and glistening electric guitar trickles. Honorato’s moody vocal captivation then eases in seamlessly, remarking on “everything left behind” with an enjoyably forlorn sense as rousing guitar distortion injects amidst a heightened vocal emotion — shades of Suede there.
“Change” is another standout, embracing a more piano-forward balladry initially; the artist’s ability to shift between darkly impactful post-punk and electronic synergy, and more ballad-ready productions like this, is fondly reminiscent of Depeche Mode’s range. “I Can’t Feel Like This Anymore” also excels, attaining an effervescent, anthemic burst around mid-point with fervent guitar twangs and solemn textures.
The album’s remixes are catching as well — from the excellent vocal pitch alternations and grimy synths within “Crystal – Oplen Remix” to the gorgeously gauzy layering within the more rock-forward “A Million Times – Magic Wand Remix.” Much like the project’s releases this year, Bonus Tracks & Remixes represents a thorough success from Fernando’s Eyes.
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We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
