Michael Lane - Linger on (CD)

Michael Lane invites us to follow him into a world full of infinite possibilities. We would live completely free and without any restrictions if only we could break through to this parallel side of ourselves. That's how he describes it, at least, on his opening track "Break Through," the first track on his new album "Linger On." But what exactly awaits us there, and how do we achieve this breakthrough? "Linger On" offers insight into this topic through songs that inspire dreams, reflection, and change.
The German-American has experienced many aspects of life. While as a 20-year-old soldier in the US Army, he fought in Iraq and later in Afghanistan, today he makes a living from music. This has allowed him to grasp both extremes of human existence: separation and unity. "As a soldier, I witnessed the cruel absurdity of war. It's unimaginable to me what must be going on inside other people to make such conditions possible. After that, it was clear to me that I had to find a way, in my own way, to do something about this madness. Music was my key. It connects people, and I want to contribute to that."
So Mike picks up where he began with his 2014 debut album "Sweet Notes". While the follow-up album "The Middle" (released in 2016) delved deeper into the subject matter, "Linger On" represents the climax of his artistic creativity to date. The album revolves around visions of a world in balance. The title track describes the wish that the beautiful and true within us may remain. If you want to change the world, you have to change yourself. This is how we should stay and continue on our path. Don't look away, act. "There will be a voice inside your heart, still and clear. That tells you everything about us. We are near." can be heard in the title "The Night". With this, the artist points out that you are not alone. In our hearts we already know that there are many allies out there who are on the same path.
Mike produced "Linger On" almost entirely on his own. The immediate sense of intimacy on the record captivates us. Using simple means, Mike moves each element to its proper place, surprising us with unexpected twists and sounds. While "The Middle" was kept pure and clear, "Linger On" significantly evolves the artist's sound, focusing on expansive arrangements and dreamy drum sounds. In keeping with the themes of the record, the sound of the record blends seamlessly with Mike's visionary ideas.
Linger On builds a bridge between the wonderful utopia of a human being without fear and the harsh reality we live in. With a great deal of dedication, the artist inspires us to embark on a journey into our inner selves, hoping that there we will find the key to our true self and our true consciousness. In this spirit: Linger On.

01 Break Through
02 Wolf Lodge
03 Linger On
04 The Night
05 Dream Alice Dream
06 Alone In Denver
07 Fighting With You
08 Medicine Man
09 Good Morning Sam
10 The Sweetest Thing
11 Full Value