Like An Ocean
Self-Released, 2026
9/10
The Knoxville artist Jared Colinger, i.e The Enigmatic Foe, pens a creative version of indie-rock and New Wave, and this Deluxe Edition of his new album offers us 27 additional tracks to peruse.
The cozy mood of “Something’s Wrong” opens with Colinger’s smooth voice alongside Jonathan Swift Behr’s frisky drums that suit the fluid melodies, and “Lover…Lover” follows with Charlie Peterson’s bright trumpet and Chuck Mullican’s rich tenor sax populating the grooves and playfulness.
Further into Disc 1, “I’ll Catch The Moon” is a soft, folk-friendly moment of sublime beauty amid the warm keys, while “Geraldine” is a busy and dance floor ready bout that benefits from animated percussion, rich sax and no lack of rhythm and energy.
“Algorithm” and “S.O.S.” exit the album. The former brings soulfulness to the equation that’s stylish and beat driven, and the latter recruits Ginger Murphy’s cello and plenty of ambience that aligns with a distinct intimacy and dreaminess.
Disc 2 is all instrumental version of the tracks from Disc 1, plus some additional songs like the buzzing, harmonic and emotive “Replaced”, and Disc 3 offers alternate takes, demos and remixes, where “Limping To The Finish Line” is just the piano and vocals radiating much sophistication and grace.
Colinger plays many instruments here, and he’s got plenty of help for the personal songs that vary greatly from track to track, but all retain much sincerity and relatability via his timeless songwriting vision.
Travels well with: Lucy Dreams- VVVVV; The Grin Lines- Voila