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Eric Apoe — Embryo
(Bandcamp Soundtrack Blvd no#, 2025, CD / DL)

by Jon Davis, Published 2026-02-01

Embryo Cover art

On Embryo, singer-songwriter Eric Apoe presents 19 tracks, well over an hour of music. As on his recent albums, like Some Kinda Good News (2021), Lost in Mishegoss (2022), and Spectator (2024), his songs are rendered in a range of styles, from delicate acoustic arrangements with strings and woodwinds to rough-and-ready rocking stompers. There’s an extensive crew of collaborators on board, varying widely from song to song, and the recordings represent a variety of situations, including both studio and live settings. This diversity of sound quality can be a little distracting, though the quality of the songwriting never varies from Apoe’s high standards. From his incisive lyrics to his creative melodies and chords, these are excellent songs, and his gruff voice is perfect for them. While his music is instantly recognizable, I wouldn’t say he repeats himself — he’s always coming up with new melodies and structures. Embryo kicks off with “Batmobile,” one of the rockers, and it alludes to the old Batman TV show theme music. “Love Lives on the Wind” is slow and moody, with twanging guitar and synthesizer bass. “St. Louis Can I Please Come Home” is a slow blues with a mournful saxophone. “The Contortionist” is a circus after hours with accordion, a bit like a song from the early days of Tom Waits. “Tacoma” is a stripped-down folk ballad with acoustic guitar, accordion, and tin whistle. The album features a bounty of good songs, without a klunker in the bunch. Anyone who appreciates good songwriting that doesn’t respect strict stylistic boundaries should investigate Eric Apoe’s work, and Embryo is a great example.

Filed under: New releases, 2025 releases

Related artist(s): James DeJoie, Dennis Rea, Eric Apoe

More info
http://ericapoeandthey.bandcamp.com/album/embryo

 

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