I promise that this wasn’t planned. But just one week after the Top Ten Blogs of 2025 post went up on this site and noted that some were song reviews, there is, indeed, such an entry here in only the third week of 2026.
And why shouldn’t there be? Good work deserves to be rewarded, or, in this case, good music should be heard.
“Eyes in Disguise” is a track released last month by Einar Askelsson. I should say “only” last month because despite its recency the single already has been streamed well over ten thousand times on Spotify alone.
An artist can have a tremendous tale to tell you about themselves, but at the end of the day we all want to hear their music and decide if the songs are worthy of our attention.
In submitting this new song to me, Einar did, in fact, share his backstory, including his music career having started unexpectedly. While I can say that I found his story to be fascinating and am glad he provided that, it would’ve just fallen by the wayside if I was disappointed when I pressed Play.
However, the production on “Eyes in Disguise” allows the vocals to really stand out, which is so important. I like the instruments dropping out behind the vocals two-thirds into the song too (and then coming back in). In fact, I hear an accordion, even! All that being said, he erred on the side of less is more. To all that I say Congrats (and did send such to the artist).
Einar admits that although writing a song and lyrics is a way to express his emotions (and thus his songs tend to be personal), “Eyes in Disguise” “is not that personal but an experience many should relate to.”
Like him, I would be interested to know if you relate to the song. What did it make you feel? We hear so often about healing properties of music. Clearly Einar is writing from a place of needing to fight against anxiety, what with having gotten Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He said that in burnout he, “had to find something to fight against the anxiety. When I woke up, I just grabbed my guitar and jammed.”
Don’t misunderstand. “Eyes in Disguise” is a pop, not a rock song. With a heavy topic, though, he successfully crafted an upbeat song that suggests a breakthrough, optimism, hope.
I don’t know who the singer is on the track. The female voice is worth listening to and very convincing as it relates to conveying the message of the song.
As a result of seeing too many submissions that don’t do the following, I’ll also send my compliments on (a) not having a track whose running time isn’t radio friendly, and (b) not making the listener wait around (and wait around) for vocals to start.
Make no mistake that production is supremely important too. You can have a wonderfully written song but if the recording sounds like crap, then it’s not going to get the attention it deserves. I always say that I take great pride in how my weekly “Now Hear This Entertainment” podcast sounds. Einar certainly knows that lesson.
Of course, now the challenge for Einar is not only to promote “Eyes in Disguise” but face the pressure of a follow-up that will meet, if not exceed, where the bar has been set with last month’s release. That said, though, he has accomplished reeling people in who will want to follow to know when the next song does, in fact, come out, which is a big part of the equation.
Use this link to go check the song out on Spotify.
Now a Member of the Recording Academy, I have been helping indie music artists, authors, actors, entrepreneurs, podcasters, filmmakers, small business owners, and more for over twenty years. What challenges are you having in your creator career that I can lend some insight to? Connect with me so you can take advantage of all my experience, and I can help and keep you moving forward.