Seven Lions - Beyond the Veil (2022) Review
Seven Lions (aka Jeff Montalvo) is a DJ and EDM artist from Santa Barbara, CA. Although he has been in the scene for over a decade releasing numerous EPs this is technically his debut album. Beyond the Veil by Seven Lions is nothing short of colossal and cinematic sounding. If you are a fan of Future Bass then there may be something in this dynamic album that you might enjoy. I was lucky enough to catch the tour for this album in LA and it was a pretty fun experience.
The album opens with a solid introduction in "Prologue," which builds some anticipation. Its epic sound sets the stage for the journey that follows, although a direct transition to the next track might have heightened the song for me.
"Call On Me (feat. Vancouver Sleep Clinic)“ starts slowly with intricate synth work and gradually unleashes massive synths that are a staple in Seven Lions' sound. Despite its cheesy lyrics, the track's stabby synths and atmosphere make it a compelling listen. It could almost serve as a second introduction, which makes sense since the first song is supposed to be a prologue.
The bass on "Every Time (“feat. So Below) hits so deep, especially when experienced through some good headphones. The song's anxious build-up and cinematic drop create a massive feeling akin to a movie soundtrack. The arpeggiated synth during the chorus is one of the best parts. For some reason, the melody during the bridge (“pick it up do it one more time”) reminds me of The Weeknd weirdly enough. This is one of the highlights of the album.
"Between (feat. Eli Teplin)” offers a change of pace, transitioning from the cinematic mood of "Every Time" to a slower and calmer mood. The highlight here is the guitar in the chorus and the outro. It’s a decent song overall. Seven Lions' use of massive and rich synth stacks shines in "Someday.” While the lyrics and vocal melody might not do it for me, the drops and instrumentals are pretty good. Overall the production carries this song for me.
GG Magree lends her vocals to "Miss You," marking the first of her two appearances on the album. Her pleasant voice complements the soundscapes and dynamics throughout the song. While "Beyond the Veil (feat. JT Roach)” has some intriguing synth sounds, the vocal melody doesn't hit the mark for me. It's a track that falls slightly short and this is kind of a miss for me.
With its classic Seven Lions cheesy lyrics, "Before You (feat. Dia Frampton)” follows a similar songwriting formula to some of the other tracks. The sound design is pretty good but overall I think this leans towards another miss for me."Never Learn (feat. Mija)“ has some great vocals and may be my favorite of the slower song on here. The highly side-chained synths add ear candy to this song.
“Stop Thinking (feat. Lights) is one of the best songs on the album. Parts of this song sound like it is somewhat inspired by Porter Robinson’s “Language.” The use of dynamics on this track is really well done. Lights’ vocals, the colorful chord stacks, and the massive drops make it feel like it is meant for a giant festival crowd.
GG Magree returns for "Falling Fast," another one of the album's highlights. It has arguably the biggest drop on the entire record, contributing to the album's cinematic structure. The build-up and climactic drop towards the end deliver a massive feeling of release. This song and “Stop Thinking” were standout tracks, both on the studio version and during the live show.
The album's closing track, "Henosis," serves as the other half of the "Prologue" track. It utilizes beautiful string sounds that fill the space nicely, bringing the album to an end.
"Beyond the Veil" lives up to the Seven Lions’ signature sound of massive soundscapes and cinematic themes. While not without its flaws, it's an album well worth exploring. Both of the bonus tracks on the deluxe edition are amazing and it should be a crime that “Brightest Light” didn’t make the album. The live show in LA was amazing and even converted some of my friends into EDM fans. This album is a relatively dynamic listen, and if you are a fan of Future Bass / melodic dubstep you should consider checking this out.
6/10 - Above Average