Review Summary: Wonderland feels more whole than previous release.
"And I felt like I opened Pandora's Box, and now I have to close it." This is the first thing heard upon listening to CEO's new album, 'Wonderland.' It is a fitting way to describe what follows in the next eight tracks. 'Wonderland' is full of vivid tones and poppy melodies. Opening song, 'Whorehouse' is full of catchy melodies and vibrant tones. The beat is uplifting with a darker pair of lyrics embalming the music. The singable chorus line, "Baby I'm so lost inside a whorehouse, no one can take me from my game," has a melody that transcends the music and sets the tone for the rest of the album.
Eric Berglund is the man behind CEO, and his masterful ability shines through the mix of tonalities he can gently push through songs. 'Harakiri' has synthesizers dancing around a particular key with more swells softening the background. Choir vocals are continuing the trance while different elements from a symphony (particularly violins) are helping the lead. 'Mirage' is another pop song with memorable melodies. Berglund's voice fits the music, he sounds youthful, innocent, and full of energy. His "ahh's'' and "wooh's" that are ingrained in the melodies can be frustrating at times, but they help connect the vibe with the numerous instrumentals floating around the LP.
The title-track is a happy-go-lucky creation capturing the euphoria of the concept. The wonderland is open and free, which is what this song embodies. The synthesizers are bouncing up and down in the mix while a continuous melody is lining the outline. The melody break around the middle of the track shows how CEO can progress a song in multiple ways. The instruments slowly build as the ending approaches, with a final explosion, letting the various vocals of Berglund finish the song. 'Juju' is the most calm instrumental track, featuring harpsichords and hummed vocals, toning down the amount of music but maintaining the ability to craft different tones.
The closing track 'OMG' starts off with ominous vocals, haunting the airspace. A beautiful vocal melody climbs over the discordant tones in the music. The reprise features vocal ooh's and ahh's. The bridge has a snapping snare pattern until the music softens again. The song features many of the reoccurring musical themes already explored in the album. 'Wonderland' is a soothing experience with a great range sonically. Every track explores new instrument patterns or themes with amazing control. Berglund has released another crafty experimental project. I believe this reigns above his previous release 'White Magic.' Every track on this continues one concept while being able to sound different and never repetitive.
