

Magically heartfelt
Swedish singer-songwriter and former lead guitarist of the Death/Metal band Tribulation, Jonathon Hultén, continues and expands on his previous work in his latest album, Eyes of the Living Night. Hultén’s 12-track sophomore album weaves a tapestry of love and discovery, created through beautiful instrumentals and Hultén’s otherworldly vocals.
The lead single and second track, “Afterlife,” showcases Hultén’s impressive storytelling. The listener is plunged into what would typically be a nightmare scenario, having to navigate the afterlife and find their way out of it, but Hultén’s haunting vocals and lyrics pull the listener into a trance that feels like it guarantees their safety. The listener may be trapped in a nightmare, but in it, they will discover themselves and their dreams.
Eyes of the Living Night was recorded at Stockholm’s Chanting Studios and co-produced with Ola Ersfjord (best known for her work Lady Blackbird and Tribulation). The album highlights Hultén’s full capabilities as an artist, blending folk, pop, and rock. The album is wholly original, like Hultén himself.
The fourth track, “Riverflame,” stood out for Hultén’s vocals. Hultén croons over a minimalist track, letting out unexpected riffs and runs that showcase his talent.
“Through the Fog, Into the Sky” and “A Path is Found” were the two purely instrumental tracks on the record, the former being only piano and the latter being a mix of electric guitar, synth, and piano. Both the tracks were beautiful in their way. “Through the Fog, Into the Sky” tells a story of struggle and perseverance. Hultén’s expert playing showed he can tell compelling stories without using any words.
“A Path is Found” is an intricate piece of music full of lush turns and beautiful orchestrations.
If the rest of the album has left listeners unconvinced, indeed, this track exemplifies the full extent of Hultén’s artistry.
The eighth track, “Dawn,” is the album’s most romantic. Though not a typical bubblegum love song, “Dawn” still paints a picture of true love and connection. Hultén sings of two souls meeting through a black, hopeless night. The instrumental perfectly captures this feeling. The track shimmers as Hultén’s vocals tell a beautiful story of love persevering through uncertainty. It’s epic and romantic like all love songs should be.
“Song of Transcience” and “Vast Tapestry” are the album’s folkiest tracks. On them, Hultén shows he can convey powerful emotions without a powerful instrumental backing him.
The main percussive element in “Song of Transcience” is a ticking clock, which gives the whole song an uneasy feeling. Hultén sings of passing time and holding on to fruitless things. The song illustrates the all-too-familiar story of not living a fulfilling life. Hultén acts as the listener’s soothsayer and warns them to change their path before it’s too late.
“Vast Tapestry” is another standout love song; its folksy feel adds to the romance. It’s clear that Hultén is being earnest and truthful—maybe the most earnest he’s been on the entire record.
Overall, Eyes of the Living Night is a wondrous album full of beautiful instrumentals, haunting vocals, and cautious stories. Hultén shows his artistry in this album, fully illustrating how terrifyingly beautiful life can be.