7/10

Since first establishing her sound with her stunning breakthrough debut album 'Reflection Of Youth' in 2017, Berlin-based Norwegian artist EERA has found herself moving from strength to strength in the years passed. Building up her reputation for broad and intrinsic alt-pop melodies, she was recently invited to feature on Public Service Broadcasting's recent LP 'Bright Magic' earlier this year, lending her voice to the record's highlights 'People, Let's Dance' and 'Gib Mir Das Licht'. And now she returns with her long-awaited sophomore offering 'Speak', a record that looks to continue that rich and shimmering direction she is known for.

The mantra that EERA has always looked to incorporate into her work is "less is more", something that stays true throughout this new collection. While she clearly has a fondness for the bolder and more euphoric angle within her aesthetic, she is never one to overdo it with the production, giving 'Speak' a wonderfully textured and breezy ideal that doesn't look to distract too much from her core songwriting. The result is a brilliantly warm and inviting array of serene yet atmospheric cuts that aim to widen the senses, and create a beautifully vivid experience from start to finish.

EERA's haunted yet permeating voice remains the hallmark of this new release. Taking what she brought together on 'Reflection Of Youth' and delivering a more well-rounded and adventurous intention this time around, 'Speak' looks set to see her profile grow even further in the coming months, something that we can't wait to see blossom.