Follow Eli Lev

We’ve come across a lot of records trying to sound personal. But this one doesn’t try. It is. Eli Lev spent years recording the voices of his relatives. Not to make a concept album, not for clout, and not for clicks. But only to keep their memories alive. At some point, those stories found their way into his music. That’s how the 5-track EP “Past Lives”, out October 8th, was born. Before we even get to the music, it’s worth knowing where Eli Lev comes from (not just geographically, but musically and personally). He grew up in a house filled with the sounds of Simon and Garfunkel and John Denver, for example. He played in a pop rock band in high school, then wrote goofy songs during his travels. But the real turning point came on a solo trip to Sayulita, Mexico, when he camped alone on a quiet beach with just his guitar. At some point, surrounded by wind, trees, and waves, he felt like the elements themselves were singing along. That’s when something inside him said “if this makes you happy, keep doing it. It will help people”. And so he did. He’s been making music independently ever since! This EP is the second chapter of a trilogy, and is not only a few samples thrown in randomly to add some emotional weight. These voices are part of the fabric of the record! His Bubbe Sarah, born in 1892, speaks about growing up in Poland. Uncle Ben talks about life in the American South. Aunt Evelyn shows up too, with stories that feel almost too insane to be real. But they are. And once you hear them, the songs really hit you differently! They carry something deeper, more grounded, and definitely more honest. We’ve heard plenty of tracks that use a voicemail as an intro or drop in a quote from a grandparent. It’s usually touching for a few seconds. But here, it goes much further. Eli didn’t use his family as decoration. He built the whole thing around them, and the result is a record that feels like it’s holding something sacred. You don’t just listen. You are literally witnessing something. The release schedule fits the spirit of the album. One song every three weeks. Just enough time to sit with each track, to actually let it grow on you. And when the full record drops on October 8, it’ll already feel like you’ve lived with it for a while. Like it’s been part of your own history. By the way, Eli will celebrate the release with a special hometown concert on October 3 in Kensington, Maryland, before heading out for a Northeast tour. And then there’s the music itself. Because yes, the concept is strong. Yes, the voices of his ancestors make it unforgettable. But if the songs weren’t good, none of this would land. Thankfully, they are more than good. The melodies are instantly memorable without ever feeling predictable. The kind of tunes you find yourself humming without realizing. Songs that stick because they’re well written, not because they were engineered to go viral. They were wonderfully mastered by Scott Hull and his talent shows. Take “Echo”, the first single. The only one available so far, while we wait for the rest of the EP to roll out. It opens with Bubbe Sarah and a soft guitar line, before slowly unfolding into a two-part structure. Around 2:30, the drums kick in, giving the track a whole new pulse. There’s electric guitar, a gorgeous violin bridge, and a final chorus with backing vocals that bring everything together. It’s simple, yes, but it works. And it surprises you in all the right ways. And if you want more, we’ll have to wait for a bit, as the third chapter of the trilogy, called “Future Myths”, will be released later.

IMC Listening Guide

Quick insights to help you connect with the song on your terms.

Best weather to enjoy this song

Sunny day

Best time to listen

Dusk reflections

Best place to listen

At home, Out in nature

Does this song haunt the silence?

Impossible to forget

Goosebumps scale

Maximum goosebumps