EDEN - vertigo | Album Review

►My review of the much buzzed about debut album "vertigo" by budding indie/electronic star EDEN (Jonathan Ng). Let's just say this is one of those raved about acts I just don't really get.

"vertigo"
Astrelwerks Records
Release: 1/19/17
Rating: 3/5

►Favorite tracks: start//end, icarus, love; not wrong, (brave), gold, wonder

►Least faves: hard to say, a lot that just feel way too dull or samey

[jayhaynes]

I tried listening to this, and I fell asleep three songs in

[latinopigeon]

I peacefully disagree

EDEN > Crywolf > Stephen > Khalid

[aMonkeyInaManSuit]

EDEN has been making music consistently longer than Stephen so I would say he came before. This EP is also more of a "diary" and made for himself. Also being called Vertigo he knows it is meant to be sort of scattershot. This album is very experimental compared to his older EPs like End Credits and ITYTTMOM. End Credits is holistically better but as a long time fan this album is greater.

[raul]

i dont know dude (first of all i totally respect your opinion, this album really isn't for everyone. Frankly it wasn't for anyone to begin with since, in his words, this was just a collection of his thoughts and feelings during points in his life, hence why it feels so disjointed and confusing, leading to the title of the album to be vertigo, a sensation of whirling and loss of balance). I'm not even going to lie, on my first listen, my reaction was more of a "that's it?". I felt that all of the songs felt samey and kinda boring to be completely honest, but I would later learn that that had everything to do with me not paying enough attention. So I kept on listening to it, hearing everything, experiencing it and understanding that this is, without a doubt, one of the most intricately and cleverly designed albums I've ever heard. You get this sense of confusion and lack of cohesion that ultimately, upon further listens, resolves itself, as you grow more comfortable with the album and know what to expect (I'm not joking when I say I've been addicted to this; I'm counting 9 times in total (in 3 days after it's come out) and counting AND I'm STILL not bored one bit by it.) I can't put my finger on what song is my favourite simply because, as I listen to the album in its entirety more, it changes. Some of mine so far have been forever//over, take care, icarus, and more recently, wrong (paying attention to the harmonies gets me every time). This album, in my opinion is what a 10/10 is; it's honest to god a new experience every single fucking time and I love it for that.

Again, this album isn't for everyone and is more for Jonathon (EDEN) himself. But I thank him so fucking much for putting this out there in the world, and thank you John, for giving his album more exposure regardless of whether you liked it or not, because people NEED to know who he is and the art he creates.

If you didn't like the album, I STRONGLY recommend you to go listen to his 2 previous EPs, End Credits and I Think You Think Too Much of Me (I found ITTYTMoM to be great but End Credits is my favourite musical project. ever (moreso than vertigo because of personal reasons and all that like). Or you could go listen to Bipolar Paradise, which was made when he was in his previous alias, The Eden Project.

sorry for the essay lol

[jacobmacdonagh]

Try listening to his first 2 EPs, I think they are much shorter, sharper and overall better. Especially songs like Rock+Roll, Wake Up, End Credits, Sex and Drugs are great

[JavoiHD]

I think his album is very different even in EDENS small discography, he talked in an interview about this album being made initially for himself to help him cope with his troubles but also released it in hopes it also connects with others, like I said in my tweet I believe it's one of them albums that for the best experience it's best listening to while relaxed and give the lyrics your full attention cause that's where I think EDEN is at his best

[Jawarhalahl]

I'm a huge EDEN fan. I've been begging Jon to review this album on every single comment section since the video came out. I was really disappointed to see that he didn't like it, but I respect the hell out of Jon for really giving this album a chance in the best way possible and giving thoughtful and insightful criticism.

[iiiwannahearryan]

I'm a dedicated eden fan, not trying to hate at all, I can respect your thoughts. I feel like one of the reasons it's boring throughout the album is because of lazy songwriting. He constantly uses the same key, D, then D#, then Dm, etc. After learning most of the songs on guitar, I feel like it's not even that hard to get the hang of because he uses the same riffs and notes over and over again, but that's just about the only reason I could have disliked the album. I love EDEN's works, I love learning them and going into the mind of how he does it, but even learning the songs gets boring and repetitive.
P.S. my dad thinks he broke his jaw or something because his singing sounds like his jaw is constantly dropped.

[Ivan-ztti]

My favourite album of the year so far. Personal and just beautiful. I understand its not for everyone tho. Have you tried listening to his i think you think too much of me EP? Its more upbeat.

[christianbraymusic]

The song love;not wrong (brave) tore me to pieces

[itsmotherbrain]

Hey, really happy to see you review and express your thoughts on this album. vertigo is definitely Eden's most back-and-forth project in terms of themes and transitions but I actually think it works in the album's favour.
The reason why I enjoy Eden is because I often find myself in a very similar state of mind and It is in those moments that I find myself connecting to his songs the most. On top of that since his roots as an artist are in electronic music production (like Stephen) he understands how to implement these harsh sounds into the alt-r&b formula in a way that's not jarring or cheesy.
Hope this could help with giving some insight into why people may like this album. If you made it all the way down here: thanks for reading. Love the content you put out.

[diego_wagner]

I disagree with your overall review, but I gave a thumbs bc I'm glad you're reviewing people like EDEN!!! You should definitely give his EPs a listen. I feel like you might feel differently about them.

[eyehasnoidea]

3/5 is actually better than what most sights give it. But seriously though you should definitely check out the two EP's he put out before this. Both of those are like 50 times more interesting than Vertigo.

[ericalynn]

some song suggestions for EDEN for those who don't like Vertigo

- Gravity (End Credits)
- Wake Up (End Credits)
- Nocturne ( End Credits)
- Drugs (ITYTTMOM)
- Rock + Roll (ITYTTMOM)

on his old alias "eden project"
- Times Like These
- Drowning (Bipolar Paradise)
- Man Down (Bipolar Paradise)

i really suggest you give him another chance he really is great

[natem]

Can you do ten songs with great verses but letdown choruses?

[Jawarhalahl]

I would be very curious to hear him review End Credits. It certainly has that bite he seems to be missing with Vertigo, from 2:09 and the title track to the ridiculously euphoric Wake Up

[exoticcarlvr]

I'm glad you reviewed this album. Personally I love it, but I'm really glad I got to hear your input on it. Thanks for checking it out. I know you didn't mention it in the review, but what did you think of falling in reverse?

[elsadonnat]

This is not an album you play in the background man you have to get into it, try to understand the lyrics, basically do nothing else than listening to it. It took me like 20 times to fall in love, but now I consider it the most perfect and genuine album I have ever heard

[ryanmounce]

Check out some of his older stuff. The "end credits" ep in particular. I love "vertigo" and "i think you think too much of me" but his older work definitely feels more like one cohesive piece.

[petarpenev]

Still waiting for ANY thoughts on the new The Neighbourhood EP though...
Btw really good work lately