Layne Greene wrote these songs around late 2015 and after two years of tinkering, they found their way into this EP.

Today was a good day. I raced against a geared bike (I ride a fixed gear road bike) prior to to a delicious dinner. And then this amazing EP completed the evening. I am talking about August by Canadian singer-songwriter based in New Glasgow, Layne Greene. This four-track EP was actually conceived around August of 2015. And overtime, it was developed and layered with various musical ideas from the artist.

His music has always possessed this deceptive simplicity. His melodies are easy to sing along. But if you pay attention to the structure (I call it sonic architecture) you can hear the complexities underneath. The rhythms are rich and fascinating. I can hear the faint influence of Gregory Alan Isakov in the use of syncopated beats, ample use of reverb and atmospheric keys. Then there’s also his use of ambient and (downplayed) electronica (listen to the first track The Driving Song).

This robust EP is also the end result of talented musicians backing him up. For example, Bryan MacDonald brought his unique guitar style to each song. I haven’t heard any guitarist at par with his technique. He has keen ear for dreamy and otherworldly sounds. The complicated beats were masterfully rendered by Alex Lank. These two artists also appeared in his Everywhere Around Here album.

Could this be the introduction to the kind of sounds we will hear in his sophomore album? Who knows? He always keeps me guessing.