Michael Ess Offers A Little Bit Of Everything With "Where The Light Breaks"

With what seems to be a collection of love songs for the typical gentle lover, “Where The Light Breaks” is more than just its heartfelt lyricism — this album has a diverse musicality, ranging from blues, progressive rock, a sprinkle of pop essence in there, and the like. For seventeen songs, expect to be immersed and be drawn into in different ways.

Michael Ess is the type of musician to reflect on things, and to dive into the intrapersonal aspect of things, as seen through his work. His music does not take the form of one genre nor can be categorized into one area, no; Michael blends and fuses different types of music. Yes, you may get the feeling that you’ve heard it before, but rest assured that every song in “Where The Light Breaks” has its own unique sound.

Yearning, and the admiration for someone is evident in the thought-provoking “Aphrodite Dancing”, which sounds like a dance between tinkers and acoustic guitar. And when the chorus rolls around, the instrumentals are enhanced with newly introduced elements, serving as a sort of emphasis to what the song is about. Everything you hear is intricate in nature, and you really get the fantasy and symbolic aspect of what it all means, essentially creating a picture in every listener’s mind.

“Reunion” is more of an upbeat track, with a consistent rhythm that keeps you upright. Compared to the first song, this one is different yet familiar in terms of the components in it, like the guitar fill-ins, as they have the same charm and style despite the overall difference in arrangement. The wordplay and rhyming scheme is fun to listen to; it can easily attract audiences of all ages with its similarity to classic tunes and the lyrics’ relatability. Think The Smiths, but a different font.

Right off the bat, you can already tell what makes “As Silence Steeps” distinct from its neighbors just from the first few seconds of listening to it. Everything is more subtle, abrupt when it comes to the rhythm, but it also takes its time. It’s immersive, and it lets the melody of the vocals shine, with the instrumentals rendered as a mere accompaniment.

“Two Hearts” steadily brews what it has to offer, starting off gentle, then slowly introducing the hypeman element that is the electric guitar. The variety in vocals adds depth and uniqueness to the record itself. By introducing a companion, it’s as if the album just had a full circle moment. Listeners essentially get the best of both worlds with this song, having both rock and a bit of a dreamy, pop situation going on.

If a personal favorite were to be picked, it would be “My True Home”, a song that greatly contrasts “As Silence Steeps”. It has a hint of Beatles nostalgia, and nostalgia in general, due to the song’s nature. Incredibly catchy, the vocals and the guitar don’t outshine each other at all, as if they’re skipping side by side to achieve ultimate harmony. With every line, it provides a sense of security and comfort at the thought of home.

Similarly, “Perfect” has the same base. It wraps up the album, as it once started with a bit of yearning, to become incredibly insightful, patient, while still managing to remain effortlessly in love and genuine as when it began.

All in all, “Where The Light Breaks” not only offers a totally extensive experience of Michael Ess’ style of music, but it also has a notable concept or framework of what each song means and wishes to impart to the listeners. This album is a great pick for those who are genuine, those who seek or are in a relationship, or for those who wish to connect with the self or have a deeper connection with the world around them.