In Light Of
Self-Released, 2022
8/10
The many obstacles plaguing the world in the last few years has given the Canadian singer-songwriter Jon Stancer plenty of songwriting material, and these 6 well crafted tunes were born out of the frustation, sadness and uncertainty Stancer was seeing around him and in himself, too.
“These Arms (Won’t Let You Go)” opens the listen with light piano alongside soulful singing as much warmth enters the cautious climate that builds into a lush, atmospheric rocker, and “In Light Of Everything” follows with a superbly textured track of rich, flowing instrumentation that straddles pop and rock in Stancer’s inimitable approach.
“One Six” occupies the middle spot, and displays agile drumming amid a dreamy landscape of buzzing melodies, while “This Cannot Wait (Until Tomorrow)” enters balladry, as graceful keys accompany Stancer’s poetic singing with much sophistication that embraces Brit-pop ideas.
“A Few Degrees Of Adjustment” and “Scared Off” exit the listen, where the former offers a precisely layered EP highlight, and the latter finishes with sublime beauty that unfolds with a hazy quality of melancholy put through Stancer’s unique and timeless vision.
There’s certainly a darkness embedded in these songs, as Stancer balances mood and tension with a wealth of experience and no lack of skill, where beats, vocal harmonies and synth stabs are all used strategically and memorably.
Travels well with: Eric Krasno- Always; Avi Wisnia- Catching Leaves