V.E.N!, the project led by Edu Campoy, steps into 2026 with Now, a five-track EP that feels like drifting through thoughts at 2AM… but with a soft groove underneath. It’s calm, slightly danceable, and built on catchy vocal lines that don’t scream for attention but still stick with you. It pulls from melodic power pop and lightly brushes against progressive rock, while hints of Britpop and post-punk quietly shape the edges. There’s also this interesting contrast running through the whole project: bright, almost playful instrumentation sitting next to lyrics that question reality, identity, and how people are living right now. It’s introspective, but not heavy in a draining ways more like thinking out loud while the music keeps you moving.
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1. Cloud of Bliss: This EP opens with “Cloud of Bliss,” and it immediately sets the tone. The guitars shimmer, the rhythm feels light, and there’s this dreamy quality that makes everything feel slightly unreal. Lines like “If I don’t have love I believe that love does not exist” hit because they’re simple but honest. It captures that moment where your worldview shrinks to match your emotions. The hook circles back like a looped thought, reinforcing that “living inside a pop song” feeling. It’s reflective, but still easy to vibe to.
2. Now: The title track, “Now,” feels like the emotional core of the EP. It leans into a bittersweet energy, bright rhythms and agitated guitars carry a story about someone who lived fully, even if things didn’t end cleanly. There’s something cinematic about the way the lyrics move: “The man who died free… a hundred lives in one.” It paints this picture of someone constantly reinventing themselves, even in uncertainty. The repeated line “Now is forever” lands like a quiet realization rather than a bold statement. It’s not forcing urgency, it’s accepting it.
3. The Silence of God: This is where things get more introspective and slightly heavier, emotionally. “The Silence of God” stretches out both sonically and lyrically, giving space for deeper thoughts. The pacing slows just enough to let the message sink in. The writing leans spiritual without being tied to anything specific, more about searching than finding. Lines about feeling lost but “more awake” capture that strange mix of exhaustion and awareness. The imagery, ghost towns, dawn, stars, adds a surreal layer, like moving between reality and something bigger. By the end, the repeated “I want to be…” lines feel like a quiet wish to become something meaningful, something connected. It’s one of the more emotionally layered tracks on the EP.
4. Coliving, Polyamory & E-Scooter: This track flips the mood a bit. It’s still chill and catchy, but lyrically it’s way more direct and grounded in modern life. It reads almost like social commentary wrapped in a laid-back groove. Rising rent, unstable jobs, changing relationship dynamics, it’s all in there. The repetition of “We are… all middle class” feels ironic, especially when paired with lines about not having cash. It highlights that gap between identity and reality that a lot of people are dealing with. There’s also a subtle humor running through it, especially with details like the e-scooter. It doesn’t feel preachy, it just lays things out as they are, which makes it hit more.
5. Walk on Fire: Closing the EP, “Walk on Fire” brings things back to a more personal and emotional space. It blends intimacy with a wider awareness of the world, relationships existing alongside chaos outside. The imagery is strong but not overcomplicated: looking into someone’s eyes, questioning the world, trying to create something meaningful together. Lines about guiding hands on piano keys feel symbolic, like building connection through creation. At the same time, there’s tension in the background: “the boys are fighting in the mud… the news on TV spreads fear.” That contrast gives the track weight. It’s not just about love, it’s about holding onto something real when everything else feels off.
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Now isn’t trying to be loud or overly dramatic. It’s steady, thoughtful, and cohesive. Every track flows into the next without breaking the mood, creating a consistent atmosphere that feels both reflective and easy to sit with. V.E.N! leans into simplicity in the best way, clean melodies, soft grooves, and lyrics that feel like real thoughts instead of polished statements. Whether it’s questioning personal beliefs, navigating relationships, or calling out modern realities, the EP keeps things grounded. It’s the kind of project you play when you want something chill… but still want your brain to wander a bit. Click on this link to support the project.
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