Lykaia
Lykaia puts Soen's strength in the way the musicians work together. The Swedish band combine firm progressive rock riffs with quieter, more spacious passages, leaving Joel Ekelöf's singing to connect the changes. The sound is warm and detailed, with a bass presence that helps the music move. Familiar influences remain easy to hear, but the arrangements give the songs a convincing identity of their own.
Sectarian starts with force rather than a long introduction. Its guitar drive and confident vocal melody establish the balance between weight and accessibility. Orison develops that approach through a more pronounced change of pace, slowing down partway through and allowing a different mood to take hold. The transition is effective even when the reference points feel familiar.
Lucidity brings the clearest reduction in pressure. The guitar has a softer, more exposed sound, and Ekelöf responds with a restrained performance. Martin Lopez gives the drums a lighter movement without leaving the song short of rhythmic interest. The detail is appealing, although placing such a relaxed track early in the sequence slightly interrupts the opening momentum.
Opal restores more aggressive rhythmic playing. Elsewhere, the guitar on Stray adds a more expressive lead voice, while the keyboards generally stay behind the main parts rather than competing with them. That restraint matters. Soen give each instrument a place, and the songs benefit from having several active elements without becoming crowded.
Paragon brings guitar and synth textures into a more psychedelic setting. It is a strong example of the band's interest in atmosphere, though another sombre piece also leaves the ending short of a final lift. Across the record, the careful control occasionally becomes a limitation: the performances can feel too measured when a little more risk or roughness would help.
Lykaia is nevertheless a confident album built on strong melodies and effective contrasts. It is more interested in the shape and feeling of each song than in constant technical display. The playing is capable of greater force than it always allows itself, but the blend of weight, space and clear singing makes this a rewarding place to meet Soen.
