Electronic/Review Me & Melancholy - Open Your Eyes

Me & Melancholy is the brainchild of musician and producer Peter Ehrling, a one-man project that delves into the world of electronic music with a focus on melancholic, synth-based sounds. Based in Stockholm, Sweden, Me & Melancholy was derived from Gränsen, established in 2022, and draws inspiration from some of the most influential synthpop and new wave bands of the 80s and 90s, including Depeche Mode, New Order & Camouflage, as well as Swedish synth acts like The Mobile Homes and Elegant Machinery.

The new album by Me & Melancholy, "Open Your Eyes," is a hauntingly beautiful examination of philosophical contemplation, emotional fragility, and silent fortitude. The first track immerses listeners in a sound realm that is both intimate and expansive, akin to navigating through fields of meaning and memory that are obscured by fog.

In keeping with their moniker, Me & Melancholy composes songs that embrace the weight of intense emotion in a bittersweet way. Ethereal vocal performances that reverberate like whispers in a dream, slow-burning electronic arrangements, and synth pop textures are all prominent features of the album. Its lyrics give reflections on longing, alienation, and the fleeting beauty of being human, straddling the delicate line between hopelessness and despair.

The rhythm and coherence of “Open Your Eyes” are what make it so captivating. Like chapters of a book that must be read in its whole, each track carefully transitions into the next. Songs like "Big Lie" and "One last kiss" are particularly noteworthy; they are emotionally vast despite being minimalist, with nuanced orchestration and profound lyrics.

The album's introspective impact is enhanced by the production's lushness, which is never overpowering and leaves room for stillness and solitude. The work by Me & Melancholy challenges listeners to sit with their own shadows and face, rather than run from, the unease of life's most subdued periods.

In the end, “Open Your Eyes” is an emotional companion rather than merely an album. Someone who is aware of the pain, the beauty, and the silent awakenings that occur when you open your eyes fully.