Fuck Yeah! Queer Music

Sometimes context outweighs every other criteria when reviewing an album. Most of the time it’s encouraged to take something for what it is, on its own. How does it stand by itself as a work? In the case of Enio’s latest album, Today, though, that would be doing a huge disservice to the artist and his record.

This summer, Enio got married. Today was written and recorded as a present to his husband, which he later decided to release to the world at large. First, how adorable and awesome is that? Second, though, this provides the crucial context through which this album must be viewed. This isn’t an artist getting married and then writing happy music because they are happy. It’s a wedding present to a partner.

Enio’s latest is a pretty big departure from his past few releases, particularly Immolate and Neon Dreaming, which were huge pop records, filled with warm synths, layered vocals, and big, heart soaring choruses. Today is a low key affair, mostly built on live instrumentation, evoking the singer-songwriter feel of someone like Brandi Carlile or Glenn Hanansard. If it weren’t for Enio’s voice, this could easily have been mistaken for an entirely different artist. The songs meander, taking their time to get to a point. “By Your Side” is a lazy (in pace and feel) love song, opening with a slow organ part and moving to a drum groove and syncopated un-distorted guitar. The layers that marked Enio’s earlier releases is still here, but it’s far more subtle, and these songs work well as an easy, drifting listen.

Lyrically, this is pretty much everything you’d expect from an album written as a wedding gift. It’s kind of cheesy in spots (“We go together like hats and scarves in stormy weather”), and any real depth isn’t there, but it’s full of unbridled joy and love. It’s sensual and sexy in parts, heart wrenching and romantic in others. Mostly there’s just love. Unfiltered, abundant love. Enio’s husband is a lucky, lucky guy.

Today is an album for romantics, for those in love, for those who want to fall. It’s for falling asleep with a smile on your face.

You can get Today or any of Enio’s earlier albums here.