8/10

There’s a sense of momentum baked into Filip Clements' debut EP 'Taking Flight. Across four tracks, the Norwegian artist captures the feeling of movement in a concise introduction that feels deliberate in how it frames his arrival.

The opening title-track sets the tone with immediacy. Built around bright guitar lines and a driving rhythm section, it leans into that familiar indie-rock rush that evokes late nights tipping into early mornings. There’s a sense of anticipation running through it in the way the arrangement expands, as though chasing the very feeling it describes.

While 'Right Place Wrong Time' shifts slightly, carried by a more elastic groove and a bassline that gives the track its pulse. It’s here that his songwriting becomes more reflective, balancing the euphoria of experience with the complications that often follow. And the contrast feels natural, suggesting an artist comfortable navigating both sides of that emotional spectrum.

Then 'Typhoon' introduces a darker edge. The instrumentation tightens, the atmosphere becomes more pressurised, and there’s a growing sense of tension that runs through the track. It’s one of the EP’s more controlled moments, where restraint is used effectively to build impact without overreaching.

Closing track 'Fever Dream' brings a more introspective finish. There’s a hazy quality to its structure, with melodies that drift slightly before settling, giving the impression of something half-remembered. It rounds out the EP by pulling things inward, offering a quieter counterpoint to the more outward energy of the opening.

The production, guided by collaborators including Catherine Marks, Martin Terefe, and Tord Knudsen, leans into a live, unvarnished feel. There’s a clarity to the drums and a sharpness to the guitars that keeps everything grounded, even as the songs reach toward something bigger.

As a debut collection, 'Taking Flight' focuses on establishing tone, energy, and identity. And in doing so, it positions Filip Clements as an artist with a clear direction that values feeling as much as form, and instinct as much as precision.