Edu Campoy Molinero does pretty much everything himself. The writing, the production and even the artwork for V.E.N!‘s new EP, Waking Up In The Night, all come from the Seville-based musician, who runs the project solo under the name Virtual Emotions Network. The six-track release came out on October 9th, and it sits somewhere between melodic power pop and alternative rock, with progressive touches and a Britpop and new wave streak running underneath. Influences run from 60s pop to post-punk. Campoy has been putting out his music as a steady run of short EPs, each one conceived as a concise, cohesive piece rather than a sprawling collection, and this one follows the same plan. Lyrically, he moves between personal, spiritual themes and a more critical look at the world around him, and the collage and pop art look of his cover work fits that mix.
“Connection” is the first track on the EP. It’s built around the idea of finding connection through silence, for those moments when the outside world feels distant or out of reach. Silence here gets treated as room to reconnect rather than as emptiness, whether that’s with yourself, with nature, or with another person. Musically, it pairs the melodic energy of power pop with progressive rock elements and atmospheric textures. The approach is direct, melancholic, and emotional, and the production stays very organic, which suits a song that’s about slowing down and listening. It’s also a fair snapshot of the project as a whole, since it carries the same mix of immediacy and introspection that Campoy keeps coming back to.
My personal favorite, however, is “Evolution.” I really enjoyed the groove and the way the harmonic changes sync up with the rhythmic ones, which I find very intriguing. There’s a great flair of drama to it, with some interesting chord choices that really work with the thought-provoking nature of the lyrics.
The rest of the EP is made up of “Break The Compass,” “The Scared Animal,” “Crossing The Last Valley” and “The Home Of The New Man.” Campoy’s bio describes songs that move from intimate, restrained passages into something more intense and expansive, and that kind of range is a lot to fit into six tracks. Waking Up In The Night is worth your time if you like power pop that leaves room for quiet and a bit of weight, and with V.E.N! releasing this steadily, it’s an artist worth keeping an eye on.
