8/10

There’s a particular kind of magic that happens when an artist steps fully into their own orbit, and with his eagerly-awaited debut EP 'Violence Is Everywhere But Not Here', Toronto's Forever Factory arrives with a collection that feels meticulously crafted yet emotionally unguarded.

Across its runtime, the EP hums with a quiet intensity, wrapping you in layers of shimmering electronics and sharp-edged guitar work that feel both nostalgic and strikingly modern. There’s a glow to the sound, like neon reflecting off rain-slicked streets at midnight.

What immediately stands out is the cohesion. There’s a precision here that speaks to years of refinement, but it never tips into sterility. The arrangements move with a steady confidence, allowing space for emotion to seep through the cracks.

Vocally, there’s a restrained urgency that anchors the EP, holding something just beneath the surface that never fully resolves. And that tension becomes one of the project’s defining traits, giving the songs a sense of lingering unease that keeps you coming back.

There’s also a palpable sense of authorship running through the entire release. You can feel the hands-on approach in every detail, from the interplay of instruments to the textures that define each moment. It’s the sound of someone building something from the ground up, shaping it piece by piece until it feels wholly their own.

For a debut offering, this is remarkably self-assured; inviting immersion as it plays, and rewarding those willing to sit with it and explore its nuances.