We may have just discovered the perfect EP for you to enjoy on a Sunday morning. If you’re looking for calm music to wake up to while having breakfast and basking in the first sun rays, then look no further. NIEK released his EP Sleepless Nights on February 9 and we could not be more thrilled.
Kicking off with a bitter and resentful ‘crashed to the carpet’, the four tracks on the EP, produced by Amèl Joore, gradually become more energetic and uplifting in their sound. ‘crashed to the carpet’, written in the summer of 2022 and released as a single in June of 2023, has beautiful guitar instrumentals and gentle synth strings that instantly make you feel calm, in combination with NIEK’s soothing layered vocals. The mellow beat and heartbroken vocals make for a raw and emotive experience, capturing the pain and longing of a shattered heart.
The EP continues with ‘could it be’, a soulful piano ballad with a variety of instruments throughout the song. This track was also released before the EP, and you can read our review here (link). NIEK’s musical style is characterised by his signature harmonies, incorporating multiple vocal layers intricately woven into each song. These harmonies not only give the songs more depth, they also add a layer of dreaminess to the songs. The lyrics of ‘could it be’ touch on his personal life, in which he’s constantly travelling to new places, leaving people behind he’s just become close to, and, possibly, wondering if the person he’s talking to in the song is his true love.
‘told you’ is a completely different style compared to the previous songs, featuring staccato notes and an uptempo melody. A playful mixture of instruments and adlibs leads you through the song. Opening with bird noises and a call-and-response section which is accompanied by a twangy guitar, the song then switches to a very catchy chorus. Although the theme of the song is infidelity, it is contrasted by the carefree spirit of the artist, who is not involved in the scandal.
The EP concludes with ‘daila’, where talented R&B artist Jazmine Flowers joins NIEK, and their voices seamlessly intertwine to form a harmony that’s immediately reminiscent of summer. Remember the sun rays we mentioned? The song paints a vivid picture of a summer holiday with friends, bringing a sense of longing and affection while looking back on their ocean lifestyle with endless blue skies.
Sleepless Nights covers topics that, you guessed it: give you sleepless nights. Ranging from a heart-wrenching breakup in ‘crashed to the carpet’, a friend cheating on their partner in ‘told you’, and friendship in ‘daila’. Although the first two topics are sombre, the latter two offer a glimmer of optimism, which is arguably a much more pleasant reason to stay awake. For the attentive listener, there are some hidden gems in the tracks, including the sound of a door opening and the sound of glass breaking, adding more depth to the storytelling. NIEK’s authenticity shines through in his songwriting, covering personal topics and incorporating his signature sound into all of his songs.
NIEK has written a beautiful EP that is true to himself. With four songs, it’s the perfect length for a quick yet impactful listen, with a high likelihood of ending up on repeat. With the title of the EP serving as the unifying thread between the songs, Sleepless Nights is for sure a must-listen!
Written by: Marloes Joosen
Edited by: Shanna Henselmans
