A 5-song EP that is wonderfully alive with a cool mystical sound that is a stimulating mix of modern and traditional music styles. Kicking off with the dreamy electric pop song Sophie’s Ghost with its shimmering guitar and synth, providing an atmospheric sound set to a pulsating beat, and the melodic vocals have just a hint of effect that sounds just right and caps off an impressive trip.
The next 4 songs are brilliant transcendent ballads, each with heartfelt singing from lead vocalist Mikey Brown, each have powerful melodies, and are all set to an earthy mix of piano and keys with jazz like drums and bass. Mikey’s vocal performance in Waterfalls is breath-taking and provides a brilliant contrast to the simple piano arrangement, the song builds until its bursts like a waterfall of sound that fills your senses with dramatic energy and colour.
In summary The Nature of Dreams is an impressive EP that shows a breadth of creativity and character that is rare in this Pop or Rock world and well worth checking out.
Auckland prog-rockers Outside In invite you on an engrossing journey through a spectrum of emotions and sounds – from intense grit, gloom and poignancy to potent and climatic psychedelic euphoria.
Outside In have a great future ahead of them. Hopefully this album gains notice outside New Zealand – something many great Kiwi bands have struggled to do. Kia kaha, Outside In – karawhiua! Rating: 9.5/10 - The Progressive Aspect
“This is crossover progressive rock for the 21st century, influenced by more recent acts than many within the scene, creating a sound which is looking both to the recent past and also for the future. Outside In, the prog band from the end of the world you have never heard of.” - ProgArchives