Tel Aviv-based artist Lior Golan‘s first professionally recorded EP, MIDNIGHT TRAINS, arrives after a 15-year musical partnership with guitarist Gabriel Lefelman. Recorded live at Shardo Studio, the five-track release captures years of persistence and creative evolution, finally bringing material that sat unreleased for four years into a compelling rock statement.
“CRUEL WINDS” opens the EP with rollicking, colorful charm. Suave guitar licks move into vibrant organs and a steady rhythm section, followed by a timeless-feeling vocal soulfulness. “Wait for something to change, staring at an empty page,” Golan’s lead voice progresses with melodic introspection, expanding to wordless harmonic appeal in the ensuing bridge, before a thunderous blast-off into an invigorating dose of heavier guitars. There, a heavier rock presence melds with an “every day is just the same” expressive lament. Right away, Golan’s penchant for momentum-filled songcraft is on display.
Another standout track is a cover of the classic “Keep Me Hanging On,” injecting a lovely balance of psychedelic organs and stylish guitars amidst an enveloping vocal performance that stirs especially during the multi-layered, ghostly “I’m hanging on” refrain. The ensuing “1991” is another delight, featuring Gabriel Just in its ardent rock production. References to “spitting fire” and “weapons of destruction” embed an ominous entrancement amidst the stirring guitar heaviness, while EP finale “YOU TRIED YOUR BEST” also features Just, dazzling in its dynamics from subdued, dreamy emotion to soaring rock heights and a haunting, piano-led send-off. MIDNIGHT TRAINS is a wonderfully immersive EP success from Lior Golan.
—
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
