bardz confronts the storm within on beautiful EP, "the only way out is through"
There’s a rare kind of honesty in bardz’s new EP, the only way out is through — the sort of record that doesn’t so much ask for your attention as quietly command it, like a flickering candle in a darkened room. The Los Angeles-based artist, known for blending atmospheric electronic textures with indie sensibilities, strips his sound back to something achingly intimate on this six-track confessional, and in doing so, delivers his most compelling work to date.
Where bardz’s earlier releases shimmered with lush, electronic flourishes and festival-ready anthems, this EP finds him stepping away from the crowded dancefloor and retreating inward. Built around a custom open guitar tuning the artist first stumbled upon in high school, these songs radiate a kind of bedroom-born vulnerability. The acoustic guitar serves as the heartbeat throughout, grounding each track while atmospheric synth pads and cinematic strings swell around it like storm clouds gathering on the horizon.
bardz’s vocals — layered, sometimes effected, often delicate — are the emotional centerpiece here. There’s a ghostly quality to his delivery, as if each word carries the weight of something unspoken. He sings like a man both haunted by his memories and determined to make peace with them. It’s in these tender, breathy moments that the only way out is through reveals its soul.
The production is meticulous without ever feeling overwrought. You can hear the care in every reverb-drenched guitar line and subtle harmony — a testament to bardz’s growing prowess not just as a songwriter, but as a sonic architect. The EP’s pacing is masterful too, moving from sparse, aching ballads to sweeping, emotionally-charged crescendos, offering the kind of catharsis that feels both personal and universal.
What makes the only way out is through truly remarkable is its sense of cohesion. This isn’t just a collection of songs; it’s a carefully curated emotional arc. By the time the final notes fade out, there’s a tangible sense of resolution — not neat or tidy, but honest. It mirrors life’s messier endings: imperfect, hopeful, still standing.
It’s rare to hear a project so unflinchingly introspective without veering into indulgence. bardz manages to balance melancholy with grace, creating a space for listeners to reflect on their own tangled histories. In an era of overstimulation and hyper-polished pop, this EP is a quiet act of rebellion — a reminder that sometimes, the most radical thing an artist can do is tell the truth.
the only way out is through marks a stunning return to bardz’s “acoustic” origins, but more than that, it cements him as a fearless storyteller, unafraid to sit with the shadows and search for the light. Grab a nice pair of headphones and sink into this one for a complete and lush listen. You can do so, plus follow along for more, by clicking those links below.
Listen to “the only way out is through”
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