A beautiful new album release from AHI delivers a soiree of gorgeous soundscapes and textures that come from all angles giving this release an eclectic but bright approach.
The Light Behind The Sun album is a musical journey and each track feels like it serves as a chapter in the artist's life as tracks get personal and share a lot of inner thought but also beauty and joy at the same time.
Throughout this record you have outstanding percussion that gives certain songs a particular kind of drive but also this breezy and almost island undertone that shows face throughout the record. It feels almost ethereal at times.
The deeper into the album you go the more you start hearing new sounds and textures. Gorgeous sense and natural instrumentation combined to create an atmosphere that just feels engulfing in the best ways possible.
Along with these elements of indie and dream pop, you have a cinematic undertone along with songs that are crisp, clean, and singer-songwriter style.
Some songs focus more on just guitar and vocals with a bit of percussion and a beautiful way of growing in intensity with added instruments in the background.
Almost all of the time though, you have that expansive underbelly. There are depths and layers to these songs that again, feel very cinematic because of that vastness, which is something that pulls you into the atmosphere very well.
This is an album that should be listened to all the way through. Listening to one or two songs may give you a gist or idea of what you may expect but will not give you the full spectrum of what the album has to offer as a whole.
There are plenty of surprises around the corners and the whole thing comes through with haunts and warmth, sometimes simultaneously.
The vocal and guitar work throughout this entire release is incredible. Songs like "Lost In Time" showcase powerful vocal approaches and unique guitar sections that round the song out but also give it this pop undertone while remaining emotionally driven.
This is indeed, a very emotional record and that's because a lot of the songs come from a place of honesty, inner thought, and feeling.
These songs have messages and mean something to the artist. This is why he was able to spread it out for all to soak in so well.
I feel like this is a record that may have been quite cathartic for the artist to write and release and because of that it's got an impactful tonality that has a way of sticking with you long after it has ended.
This is a beautiful escape that you should take in all at once. Listen from beginning to end and do it with headphones on because it's one of the best ways to soak this record in along with all of its gorgeous textures and warmth.
With the release of such an outstanding LP, we wanted to chat with AHI to find out where this all may have come from and what it meant to him.
Here's what we found out.
Buzz Slayers: Hey AHI! Thanks for taking some time with us! Let’s talk about The Light Behind The Sun! I love the warmth of this record! It was lush and inviting, honest and welcoming! Where did the record come from?
Thank you so much! The Light Behind The Sun came from a very personal place. It’s a freeing feeling, emerging from the space I was in while creating my last album Prospect which felt much heavier emotionally and spiritually. There were moments in my life when I was struggling with finding light in the darkest of times, and so on this album I wanted to create something that captured the beauty and the triumph in those moments. This record is about embracing vulnerability and using it as a source of strength on a journey towards healing, which I believe we’re all after in one way or another.
Buzz Slayers: What are you performing on this record aside from vocals and guitar?
On this record, I also learned a lot on the production programming side of things. While it was really important for me to bring an authentic and organic sound to the album, working with Rahki also inspired me to step outside of that strictly acoustic folk box I’d become so comfortable in. This opened up a whole new world of sounds that allowed me to capture the emotion and texture in the songs. It was all about bringing the songs to life in the most genuine way possible.
Buzz Slayers: Did you write everything yourself?
Yes, I wrote every song on this record; most were written entirely solo, but a few of them were co-written with some incredibly talented people. For me, songwriting is deeply personal, and I only ever strive to create music that feels true to my experiences and my voice. There’s something incredibly freeing about writing your own songs and telling your own story, and I think listeners can tell the difference when there’s no filter, no external pressures to be something you aren’t. It’s honest, and it’s real.
Buzz Slayers: This had some great approaches! Who are some of your top musical influences?
Thank you! Some of my biggest influences are artists like Bob Marley, Michael Jackson and Bill Withers. There’s a timelessness to all of their music and an unflinching honesty that I strive to bring to the table every time I dive into my own artistry.
Buzz Slayers: Are you touring or doing any live shows in support of the record?
Yes! I’m absolutely excited to hit the road and connect with fans live. For starters, I’ll be heading to SXSW in Austin, TX next month to perform the new album and some old favourites with my band. And from there, I’ll be heading to Japan in May to represent Canada at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka. As for dates closer to home, you’ll have to wait until we’re ready to announce the tour - stay tuned!
Buzz Slayers: Now that this record is released, are you already getting into writing new material?
Yes, I’m always writing! The creative process never really stops. Even while promoting The Light Behind The Sun, I’ve already been writing and exploring new ideas. I don’t know where the next chapter will take me, but I can feel the energy of new songs beginning to form, and I already feel like what’s coming next will be my strongest work yet.
Buzz Slayers: Who is in your headphones right now?
Dijon, Mk.gee, Fridayy
Buzz Slayers: What are you doing when you're not making music?
When I’m not making music, I’m usually spending time with family. As a father of 5, I also coach my sons’ soccer team, and we operate within a fiercely competitive league, so that definitely keeps my hands full.
Buzz Slayers: What would you say is your favorite part of doing this?
My favorite part has got to be the connection I feel with listeners when they hear the music. There’s nothing like hearing that a song has touched someone or that it helped them through a tough time. Knowing that something I created has had a positive impact—that’s what makes all the hard work worth it.
Buzz Slayers: Are you a guitar player first?
Not even close. I would say guitar was the first instrument I really connected with. It’s always been my main tool for songwriting. But over the years, I’ve learned to embrace other instruments too. I think it’s important to push yourself beyond your comfort zone, and that’s part of what makes creating music so exciting. But at the core, guitar will always be my first love.
Buzz Slayers: Before we go, what would you like to express to fans of the music?
To everyone who’s listening, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for taking the time to connect with my music. It means the world to me that the songs resonate with you, and I hope they continue to inspire and uplift you. Keep shining your light, even in tough times, and remember that we’re all in this together. Much love to you all.
Buzz Slayers: Thanks again for this AHI!
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