Ani Even’s "SKINWALKER": Blending sounds that feel both ancient and futuristic at the same time.

The album doesn’t simplify for accessibility but rather puts daring sounds and emotions for the listener to hear.

The album begins with “Be with me,” a fragile and haunting melody. It’s a slow-burning piece of a song. The soft piano notes and fragile guitar tunes are just heavenly. Although soothing to hear, it creates a kind of creepy undertone to the whole song. Ani Even’s voice, soft yet distant, feels as if it’s coming from within a dream. The track feels like an invitation to a whole different world that the album goes on to create. The track doesn’t build toward a climax; instead, it lingers. It’s the perfect introduction to the project.

“The album’s power lies in its contrast.”

The second track, which is “I know that you lie,” brings intensity and confrontation. "I Know That You Lie" is energized by its heavy bass and gritty vocals. The song changes the vibe and shifts the mood. The rhythm pulses like a heartbeat pushed to its limit. It’s about deception, self-recognition, and emotional exposure. The song feels honest. The song ends with chaos, just as one might expect, which is the perfect ending to it.

As the title track, “Skinwalker” acts as the album’s conceptual core. The name refers to something that is not definite and can transform into something else beautifully. Layers of human chants and electronic melodies melt together. The song sends a message that change is oftentimes not beautiful but necessary. The next track is “It’s a Great Deal,” which bursts forward with manic energy. The track pulsates with energetic beats and contains a slight sense of irony. The production is so tight and rhythmic that it takes the listener on a whole mental loop.

The next track is “Rotten to the Core,” which takes the listener into the darker end of Ani Even’s world. The production is harsh and metallic. The song feels as if it is referring to the end of something beautiful, of something breaking apart. The lyrics talk about confronting one’s own flaws. The lyrics are raw and honest, and they talk about something much deeper, hidden beneath the surface. The song sounds a bit aggressive, which also seems intentional. The theme carries the whole song.

We move on to the next track, which is “Not My Friend,” which provides a rare pause. Unlike the other sounds, this one is stripped down of its chaotic instrumentals. The whole raw theme that this song carries acts as a breathing space in the whole album. The song also has sounds of nature, like the voice of a bird chirping, which is contrary to other tracks, yet makes a concise space for itself in the midst of the whole album. The song talks of detachment as a form of self-protection, which feels so honest yet peaceful. The next track is “Run,” which reignites the momentum. The instrumentals are more urgent, and overall, it feels like you’re in a trance while listening to the song. The next song is “A Boy Who’s Crying,” which softens the mood again. The lyrics are soft, just like the production. The song talks about something tender in the most vulnerable way possible.

The next track is “Silent Service,” which feels meditative. The music unfolds quietly, and true to its title, the song’s production is quite similar. The next track, which is “Deep Void Visitor,” takes us into the unknown. The song feels as if you’re standing in front of an abyss. The quiet echoes and overall, the creepy vibes of the song feel familiar yet surprisingly beautiful. The closing track, “Djævlebørn,” has a slow opening, but it bursts into energetic beats and symphonies, which feels like the perfect way to end the whole album.