V.E.N! or Virtual Emotions Network is the solo project of Edu Campoy. He is a singer-songwriter with an artistic interest in alt rock and indie rock. He builds melodic elements into the riff and beat atmospheres, bringing a dazing softness to the listening experience. There’s that marked genesis of 90s indie rock, paired with the progressing grooves of modern alt rock.
V.E.N!’s latest release is the ‘Waking Up In The Night’ EP. A collection of six tracks that weaves into the landscape of the self. It’s as if each track is curated to shape, grind, groove and chisel the many parts of the self. The search for meaningful connection and the growing pains that come with it. That’s the beautiful journey that the EP encapsulates. Think The Smiths blended with Pulp, Radiohead and The Strokes.
‘Connection’ opens the EP. With cascading grooves contrasted with slow evocative flows, the track ebbs and flows. The feeling runs deep, develops into the rhythm and is forged in layers. There are a lot of singalong, feel-good frames alongside the more melancholic and complex parts, making for a well-rounded listening experience.
The artist enjoys creating lyrical narratives which expand conceptually into the sound atmosphere around it. In ‘Break The Compass’, the idea is explored with circular set ups, with grooves that circle back into the main rhythm and then breakaway into tangents of musical exploration.
In ‘The Scared Animal’, they delve into alt rock with the whimsically abstract spirit of The Kinks and Radiohead. The grooves run the show, travelling to a contemplatively dark space. It is dynamic, thoughtful and delightfully complex. ‘Crossing The Last Valley’ has an odyssey built into it. With long, winding melodies, it’s a space where folk rock meets classic rock. Very Beatlesque. Melodic and profound, its landscape sinks into your bones.
‘Evolution’ forms right out of the artist’s head. It forms as if in a daze, lost in its own world. Hooded melodies and moody blue vocals really draw you into a mellow, yet deep plane. Just like that, you become soft and mellow, simmering with the track. ‘The Home of the New Man’ concludes the album. The vocals take you instantly to David Bowie. The artist builds the vocal emotion to take the listener to a new world, to new beginnings. The soundscape has that distinct 70s make, especially the chords and the interpretation of the theme.
Each track is set up with its own unique form. Presenting a new dream that wakes you up to a fresh world. One with cinematic raise or a theatrical rock. There’s a new wave sparkle, a fuzzy riff reality. The concluding with a reflective indie folk track with quiet resolution.
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The EP is available for streaming on popular sites like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music!
You can listen to ‘Waking Up In The Night’ by V.E.N! here -
