From Frontiers Music's webpage, "Swedish rockers CREYE have announced the release of their upcoming new album, their third overall, "III: Weightless" on February 17, 2023. As with their last album, "II", this new album sees the band's songwriting and playing jumping by leaps and bounds to put them at the forefront of the Swedish melodic rock scene. With an album and live EP as well as multiple gigs under their belt, this line-up of CREYE has truly gelled and that cohesiveness shines through on "III: Weightless." Fans of the band's previous work certainly won't be disappointed and will also be thankful that the band has managed to evolve while staying familiar. The album has 11 songs.

"Glorious" is the first. It starts off fairly docile, but the big sound rolls in at the chorus. This is precisely what sets CREYE apart from their peers...their ability to create a memorable chorus and ride it until the sun sets. This song is an anthem the band can hold like a flag over their heads. "Air" was the first single I heard off the album, and it's simply one of the best songs that I have heard this year. It has a tender sound that turns to pure gold in the chorus, with one of the best and well-timed deliveries out there. "One Step Away" enters with a bombastic keyboard sound and has another strong, but heavier chorus. There is a fiery resolve to the song also.

"The Game" is a more tender and charming song, with August's signature emotive and pensive vocals. He has one of the most versatile voices out there. His quiet whispers are every bit as strong as his roars. "Spreading Fire" is just like it sounds. They reach into the pit and grab the ash, and shake it in the air until a trail of fire appears. This hasty song moves forward with purpose, boldness, and courage. The title track is another big winner from the keyboard sound and the emotive vocals. This song has that quintessential 80's structure and a chorus that sticks in your head. I dare you to try not to sing along with this one. "How Far" is a bit slower, and more introspective. The bass notes are wonderful in this song, and they deliver another magical chorus.

"Stay" is a tender song, with mostly piano and vocals, where the vocalist expresses feeling bad with the circumstances of his life, and he pleads for his partner to "just stay." We can all relate to this feeling. The big sound comes in at the second chorus. "Dangerous" is just that...a mid-tempo rocker with a heavy bottom end. Frail sounds in the verses turn to a commanding roar in the chorus. "Pieces" closes the album with another very memorable sound. It makes me feel alive, and excited about life. This is exactly what great music should do. That chorus will carry you into the sunset and beyond.

For those of you who were a teenager in the 1980's like me, and liked Rock music, you really only had a few choices. Sure, I liked METALLICA and MEGADETH just like my friends, but tended to gravitate to more melodic and memorable music. The best compliment that I can pay this album is that it instantly transported me back to my youth with my friends and my wife, spending relaxing times together enjoying music and just having fun. If this album were released at the hey-day of AOR, it would still knock down the albums of that time. Simply put-it's a melodic masterpiece, and one of the best albums of the year so far.