V.E.N! – Waking Up In The Night
“The most meaningful journeys often start in the silence, when you finally have the courage to face what’s inside.”
V.E.N! (the solo project of Edu Campoy) are back with Waking Up In The Night, a six track EP which looks at the intricacies of the human condition through the lens of melodic alternative rock, power pop and progressive rock. Out 9th October 2026, it’s a collection of tracks that are full of expressive electric guitars, strong melodic hooks and a certain amount of atmosphere. The lead track ‘Connection’ is a prime example of the EP’s approach, dealing with the theme of isolation and the desire to re-establish a connection with the world. It’s a very effective track in that it has a great amount of melodic pop energy and a real sense of movement, but there’s also a more subdued and reflective side to it which adds a further dimension to the track.
All over the EP Campoy is looking at different facets of vulnerability, of uncertainty and of personal transformation. “Break the Compass” and “The Scared Animal” are all about losing your way and facing your fears. “Crossing the Last Valley” and “Evolution” are the tracks that deal with the process of change, of growth and of self-discovery. “The Home of the New Man” is the track that takes that journey further and looks at the prospect of a new beginning. One of the EP’s most striking musical qualities is the way Campoy sings, able to move so effortlessly between a very soft, intimate delivery and a much more forceful, impassioned one. The guitars are the source of a lot of the EP’s energy, ranging from melodic power pop to raw alternative rock and through to some very atmospheric progressive stuff.
What’s so special about Waking Up In The Night is that it’s quite prepared to go into the deeper questions without losing the melody or the accessibility. It’s very much inspired by the 60s pop, the Britpop, the post-punk and the alternative rock of the day and as such has developed a very distinct musical identity. The lyrics are a combination of personal experience, some very real philosophical musings and spiritual themes, leaving a huge amount of room for the listener to come to their own conclusions. There’s a very vivid pop-art, collage aesthetic to the whole thing which is another really interesting facet of the project. Edu Campoy has produced a very compelling collection of alternative rock which is both melodic and very much about the emotional content. Waking Up In The Night is a very engaging alternative rock record.
“Sometimes the dark isn’t something to run from. It’s where the journey into discovering yourself actually begins.”
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