Establishing the mood with a whimsical guitar soundscape with astral synth notes, V.E.N! (Virtual Emotions Network) opens The Beauty of Danger EP with dimensionality, poetic prowess, and a song called Cloud of Bliss. The track features the powerful hook, “If I don’t have love, I believe that love does not exist, If I’m not free, I believe that freedom does not exist…”
In essence, the dream-like song reflects on how our inner emotional state can shape the way in which we see reality. It uses the vivid imagery of escapism into a joyful dimension, but V.E.N! also questions his own tendency to project emptiness and pain onto the world. The metaphorical message suggests that happiness can feel like a comforting fantasy, whilst also questioning whether our negative perceptions are real, or just reflections of our own struggles.
The psychedelic nature of the track will attract fans of David Bowie, and would be perfect to listen to poolside on the roof of Petit Ermitage in West Hollywood where songs like this often find their home. The guitar solo is transcendental and cinematic, and we could imagine the track being featured in a TV show like Nine Perfect Strangers or PLUR1BUS.
Next up is Now, which feels cohesive and sonically aligned with its predecessor track and opens with the lyrics, “The man who died free, he loved, fought, and lost to win, his strange gaze was sometimes hard and sweet, and he made you daydream…”
We love the power-pop harmonies and the playful riffs that fans of The Beatles would vibe with. Now is about a restless and rebellious soul who lived intensely and freely despite his struggles. In a sense, this feels like a call-to-action and message for us to live in the present moment to find a lasting freedom and meaning in both life and death. The message feels zeitgeist, “now” more than ever, especially in the tumultuous society that we live in.
This leads us to The Silence of God, which expresses a deep sense of exhaustion and disorientation. It almost serves as a rationale for the track, Now, showing us how interconnected this album is. It demonstrates a growing awareness that something meaningful lies just beyond the darkness.
It’s about longing for renewal and transcendence – seeking magic, purpose and connection with the universe, in order to return with hope and become a positive force in the world. The lyrics, “I want to feel the magic of a new day, on an astral trip at dawn, and know the secret that the stars and the silence of God hide…” are so powerful. The passion is really tangible on this track, and fans of Radiohead will also be able to connect with the more acoustic motifs and V.E.N!‘s delivery, but of course the track also showcases another epic electric guitar solo leading us to a highly dramatic, Flamenco-infused finale.
Coliving, polyamory and e-scooter is a more cerebral track from the outset, really manifesting in a rock energy. As for the message, it is a satirical reflection on modern life. The song highlights economic insecurity, rising costs and unstable work. It questions the illusion of being “in control” and contrasts progressive ideals with the reality of financial struggle, suggesting that many who see themselves as middle class are actually precarious and uncertain beneath the surface. It’s definitely the most politically skewed track on the album.
Finally, we experience Walk on Fire, which is about finding a deep and transcendent connection with someone through music and shared emotion. The lyrics create a sense of truth and meaning beyond what’s visible. It contrasts that intimate, creative bond with a chaotic and troubled outside world, eventually suggesting that love and art can indeed become a refuge from fear and conflict. This message is extremely wholesome and the track is again very Bowie-coded. We appreciate this being V.E.N!‘s finale takeaway from the album, which is an intentional opus overall with inspiring and introspective themes.
Needless to say, we are in awe, and have added Now to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TRIPPY and TIMELESS playlist, whilst we continue to stream the wider discography of V.E.N!, including Summer Storm, and Dancing on the Rebel Swing.