There is something admirable about Kyle Adem. We mentioned last time that he left a career in buisness to pursue his creative ideals and that attitude is present on Syracuse. This is the record, these are the songs, listen to them. If they are hard to characterise then, frankly, that is none of his concern. Where he goes next will be very interesting to see.

Beautiful Dreamer, Adem’s latest EP, satisfies our curiosity. Unsurprisingly, he has taken a new direction, but what was less expected is the direction he has taken, His songwriting is now wrapped within the smooth production of the very best mainstream radio jams. This is apparent from the opening track ‘Goodbye July’, a pop song imbued with the positivity of new love, starting with handclaps and developing into a heartfelt romance worthy of any blockbuster.

“All the fireworks and it’s not even July
trading all our stars for fireflies
Goodnight

When the wind is cold, will you ease my shaking?
Only if you’ll keep my bones from breaking

and the sun will set on these tears we’ve shed
so we illuminate until it rises again”

‘Heaven’ is a romantically rhythmic country song, with lyrics telling the story of the ghost of a long-dead love, while ‘I Go On’ is slower, dramatic folk in the vein of Noah Gundersen. Closer ‘Good Morning, August’ see a return to the buoyant tempo, as if The Mountain Goats had penned a smash-hit pop-country song.

“Take me back into a dream
where everything is still the same but just a little different
it’s just me and your mother
and your father
and your father’s father but we’re under water
we are swiming in their favorite daughter

I am mercilessly bound-
it is my destiny to drown in you
there’s nothing I can do”

If further evidence was needed, Beautiful Dreamer confirms Adem’s eclectic songwriting abilities. Whether you prefer the earthy folk or melodramatic pop, Adem’s range is mightily impressive.

You can buy the album now from his Bandcamp page.

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