From Bandcamp, "EXPLORING BIRDSONG are a piano driven Progressive Rock band from Liverpool, UK. After launching in September 2017, the trio have developed a truly unique sound drawing influence from both 70's pioneers ELP, GENESIS and KATE BUSH to modern Progressive poster boys TESSERACT and STEVEN WILSON." Their newest EP contains five songs, and "Pyre" is the first. The opening tones are dreamy and ethereal, with punchy bass notes. Lynsey's vocals are quite charming. The backing vocals are also very pretty, and the entire song has a smooth and whimsical feeling that energizes your suffering soul.

"The Way Down" begins with heavier and darker elements, mostly from electronica. The entering vocals are ominous, drawn-out murmurs. Piano does indeed play a prominent role in their music, and the notes are both alluring and dangerous. The vocal harmonies are also beautiful, and develop in a tentative manner, reaching full potential with accompanying goosebumps. "Bear the Weight" is a more pensive and thoughtful song. The lyrics are also quite thoughtful...spend some time think about these lines..."We bear the weight to defend the man who would fall in your place at the hands of a king who is lost. See how we're bled dry?" That hits home for me. Fat keyboard notes emerge after the half-way mark, and the song takes a turn onto the unlit path.

"Ever the Optimist" is an interesting dichotomy between the title and the lyrical content, and the music. The musical tones push a fleeting feeling of hope, while the lyrics are the opposite: "I hate to tell you, but the setting sun won't rise. The shepherd lost his grip and now the wolf's inside." The melodies are so catchy here that you can't help but to sing along. "No Longer We Lie" closes the album. The sky begins to lighten from the darker clouds of the morning. It's about letting our true selves out to others, no matter how ugly. "We'll let them see us, we will let them see hell now our hell now." It's a perfect blend of atmospheric keyboards and gentle melodies that will burn through you along with the message.

Where has this band been all my life? The music is as classy and glamorous as it is smooth and easy to listen to, and the band sounds like they have been doing this for a long time. Perfectly timed melodies and crescendos in the music combine with darker lyrics to remind you of the complexities of the human spirit and mind. If you are looking for answers, you won't find them here, but they will give you plenty to contemplate. That's exactly what great music should instill in you...a sense of circumspect.