Suntrodden III Review

August 01, 2017

"This is a collection of dreamy pop, indie if you must, but infectious however you describe them. If an artist is going to go 'out there' without the aid of a safety net, it’s a good idea to ensure the songs are quality as they will stand or fall on them. These are good songs; haunting, thoughtful and melodious, mostly acoustic with sparing electric guitar..."

Suntrodden III Review

July 28, 2017

"think that this set of music does a nice job of creating a pleasant sound that manages to entertain from start to finish. It’s not classic rock based in any way. In fact, this feels very modern. It’s just that the basic elements here seem to have a lot of that older pop rock ethos built into them. Whether you hear that or not, you will probably find plenty here to enjoy."

Suntrodden III Review

July 26, 2017

"Suntrodden III’s strength lies in its safety and anonymity. Rather than blazing trails or shooting the moon, Stephansson gives us five tracks of warm blankets on cold nights. He gives us familiar and expected. He gives us bubble gum. Who doesn’t like bubble gum?"

Suntrodden III Review

July 26, 2017

"The song lyrics are sung very softly and beautifully while being filled with positive sentiment and life reflection. While at first listen the songs seem simple enough with what seems to be a simple sound, the lyrics are pretty deep after listening to the record a few times. You can almost see the people he sings about barefoot and dancing in the grass under the shining sun."

Suntrodden III Review

July 26, 2017

"Genres like dream-pop and shoegaze are definitely in line with progressive rock. That is the sort of fertile musical landscape from which this band and this album seem to emerge."

Suntrodden III Review

July 25, 2017

"It sounds a lot like the post-prog, dream-pop, shoegaze based stuff that's so popular in certain circles these days.  This does best when it strives for that proggy territory and lands in the general vicinity of it.  It's obvious that Stephansson has talent.  When he gets the most ambitious is when his skill set really shines the brightest."

Suntrodden III Review

July 25, 2017

"With music that draws from Beach House, Radio Head and Elliott Smith, you might not expect a band as unique and dreamy. Though I enjoyed the entire album a great deal, I felt the most entranced by “Moonflower.” It feels like the kind of song that will continue to travel with you for months, or even years to come."

Suntrodden III Review

July 25, 2017

"The set is made up of soothing slow pop tunes that are designed to put you in the mood to relax and reflect. If you give this disc a try, you will be taken into a wonderful musical experience from the first track, and it will leave you wanting more with the last track. One of the basic philosophies of being a successful entertainer is to leave the audience wanting more. This one definitely does that in style."

Suntrodden III Review

July 25, 2017

"Suntrodden III, the latest EP from Atlanta, Georgia based musician and songwriter Erik Stephansson, is a delightful experimental journey through mood and sensation using the vehicle of lo-fi recording and minimalistic composition. "

Suntrodden III Review

July 24, 2017

"Five intimate, inviting pop tunes (even though the lyrics are basically about someone “losing his grip on reality”).  So is the guy just a poor-man’s Brian Wilson? Well, no but maybe a poor man’s Elliott Smith or James Mercer as warm synths and acoustic guitars create a bed of music for Stephansson’s plaintive vocals."

Suntrodden III Review

July 18, 2017

"Erik Stephansson as Suntrodden returns with another EP of pleasant keys, acoustic guitars and analogue synth, while Suntrodden’s most important asset, his warm and memorable melodies, are among the best he’s produced to date. Often bringing to mind both The Beatles and Elliott Smith, Stephansson also has a soulful sense of tenderness that makes “Moonflower” one of the best piano ballads you’ll hear in 2017."

Suntrodden Interview

July 12, 2017

"I think the first record has a certain brightness to it, while the second has a little bit more of an edge.  Suntrodden III is sort of coming to terms with the good and the bad.  In a sense, that’s really what Suntrodden was all about in the first place…an optimistic spin on my misguided steps through life.  I just try to get better as I go…I guess you could call it opt-pop."

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Moonflower Review

July 07, 2017

"On his new single, 'Moonflower,” Stephansson crafts a delicate balance between wavering lines of piano and slight guitar flourishes that subsequently build around his hesitant voice. There’s a good deal of melancholia, but the song’s ending does hope for something better in the future."

Suntrodden III Review

July 07, 2017

"Stephansson, who obviously likes the 90s vision of melancholy inclined pop, somewhere between Neutral Milk Hotel and Elliot Smith with traces of references to those ‘really old guys’, the Beatles, obviously has a good sense of melody and knows how to adeptly handle guitars and keyboards."

Suntrodden I-III Review

June 26, 2016

"t’s hard to pick a single track I love, as this collection is filled with a nice bit of diversity for any mood. I love the piano balladry from “Moonflower,” but then there’s real beauty in “Stay Gone,” taking on a more singer-songwriter vibe. I guess in the end, the most difficult thing is finding a track to ignore; each tune offers something special, something personal, which is perhaps why I’ve fallen in love with Suntrodden."

Suntrodden Interview

June 19, 2017

"I usually lump Suntrodden into the broader ‘indie rock’ bucket, because that’s the style of music I gravitate towards.  Sonically, I try to create an ethereal, laid back atmosphere with the melodies and production.  Lyrically, I have a tendency to write from a positive outlook about the challenges I’m encountering either personally or those that I observe.  Lately, I’ve started to jokingly refer to it as ‘opt-pop.’"

Moonflower Review

June 15, 2017

"Moonflower is a wonderfully organic number, with the piano and vocals dueling it out to see who can get you the most relaxed."

Moonflower Review

June 14, 2016

"Erik’s tossing a gentle vocal atop really carefully crafted pop styles; this is what always draws me into his songwriting. But, I really like the attention given to the recording, with various textures of guitar added atop one another to really add depth to the song…not to mention a little bit of keys hanging about too."

Moonflower Premiere

June 13, 2017

"The song’s poignant piano and sparse guitar imbue a somber reality. However, the tone shifts during a hopeful climax where Stephansson’s soft but stirring vocals make us believe anything is possible."

Pure Review

April 28, 2016

"Erik’s tossing a gentle vocal atop really carefully crafted pop styles; this is what always draws me into his songwriting. But, I really like the attention given to the recording, with various textures of guitar added atop one another to really add depth to the song…not to mention a little bit of keys hanging about too."

Suntrodden II Review

March 17, 2017

"Soft and gentle, the music of Suntrodden (Erik Stephansson) is melodic and sweetly shining on his “Suntrodden II” EP. Containing just five tunes, the listener is swiftly beguiled by “Wake Up”, a gorgeous tune that floats by, sweetly coated and easy to love. Equally lovable is “Melt”, a hint of Brian Wilson in its sound, Lush and warming, whilst the final tune “Become Light” has ripples of percussion running through, another great melodic tune that is understated and delightful."

Suntrodden II Review

December 12, 2016

"So much of the joy of Suntrodden is its simplicity; no crazy multi-tracking and no crass production just simply a man, strumming his guitar and layering ethereal overdubs. ‘Melt’ demonstrates the calmness of this EP nicely, with its Neutral Milk Hotel like chord opener and jangly electric guitar tremolos malting throughout."

Suntrodden II Review

November 16, 2016

"A pair of EPs from songwriter Erik Stephansson surfaced this year, and this 2nd installment showcases his creative indie-pop and stripped back sensibilities that take nods towards ’90s luminaries like Elliott Smith as well as dream-poppers Beach House. The 5 songs here are fueled by acoustic guitars, bright organs and comfortable synth, resulting in a hazy and more animated approach to Stephansson’s earlier, sparse work this year.  Proving again that less is often more, the breezy, minimal feeling here leaves an indelible mark via lo-fi and warm alt-rock jangling."

Suntrodden II Review

November 15, 2016

"Suntrodden, the name under which singer/songwriter Erik Stephansson records his stripped-down indie pop songs, has released the second in a planned three-part suite of digital EPs...The easygoing songs are piano-based, with organs and analog synths fleshing out the instrumentation."

All We Are Review

November 02, 2016

"Writing a simple pop song can sometimes feel like the hardest thing in the world to do. Stephansson makes it seem so effortless."

Suntrodden II Premiere

October 24, 2016

"Opening with 'Wake Up,' the EP is noticeably sunnier than Suntrodden I. Described as a 'love letter to stripped down songwriting,' the song opens with acoustic guitar and vocals before it slowly opens up to a fuller arrangement with shimmering organs and warm analog synths. With his soothing vocals and surrealist lyrics, the songs are almost like California pop lullabies–hazy and serene."

Suntrodden II Review

October 24, 2016

"Nice little 5-song snippet of this talented pop songwriter who hails from Atlanta (I totally assumed he was from Sweden). Erik Stephansson began writing music under his own name in 2013. It’s pretty simple stuff; mostly Stephansson and his acoustic guitar though he does add keyboards into the mix as well. Cuts like “Melt,” “Wake Up” and “Become Light” are all gorgeous janglers that any fan of Bobby Wratten (Field Mice, Trembling Blue Stars, etc.) would love. This is the second of three eps he plans to release this year. Real nice stuff."

All We Are Review

October 21, 2016

"Suntrodden (AKA singer-songwriter Erik Stephansson) creates a picturesque ideology of plucked folk noise and indie pop ebullience. His work is home to an omnipresent clarity that guides his every word and note, a determined rhythmic blueprint for how to express the deepest emotional longing from the simplest production..."

All We Are Review

October 18, 2016

"The downtrodden 'All We Are' barely breaks two minutes, but it hits like a much longer tune, an emotional little song that definitely will appeal to fans of Elliott Smith..."

All We Are Review

October 10, 2016

"Combine the brooding genius of Elliott Smith with the cozy warmth of José González and the baroque pop charm of Belle & Sebastian – that’s a good start to describing the ear-caressing melodies from Atlanta indie pop artist Suntrodden..."

Melt Review

September 30, 2016

"We just discovered that absolute tear-provoking beauty of “Melt” off the forthcoming Suntrodden II available October 28...“Melt” displays the kind of sentimental pop genius that will speak to more aspects of your receptive senses than you’ve never known before."

All We Are Premiere

September 28, 2016

"While you’ve heard touches of indiepop, this new single shows off Erik Stephansson's ability to build this huge pop sensibility in really simple ways, utilizing the strength of his voice and careful guitar playing. At this point, I don’t think I can find a thing he’s done wrong…this is a pop songwriter with the gift."

Suntrodden II Announcement

August 25, 2016

"It’s always a good idea to take a day to yourself and relax while you listen to some music. Of course you have to have the right music playing; otherwise you’ll kill the mood. For moments of deep relaxation, then it would be a good idea to have some of Suntroddens music included in your summer relaxation playlists."

Suntrodden II Review

August 19, 2016

"In which we find indie pop going minimalist and experimental in the guise hiding Erik Stephansson behind it all. Those college kids are always looking for a new way to go in through the out door--before anyone else does."

Melt Review

August 16, 2016

"Staring out the window and all I see is a dampened landscape and more rain. But, at least I have this wonderful new track from Suntrodden to give me a little bit of sunny vibes. It’s a pretty gentle bit of pop music, structured simply around strumming guitar and calming vocals; there’s also a lead guitar that works beneath the rhythm to provide a bit more depth to this track…as if it needed it."

Melt Review

August 16, 2016

"A ray of musical sunshine through a morning window, “Melt” from Atlanta’s Suntrodden is an indie-pop confectionery."

Melt Premiere

August 12, 2016

"Stephansson’s breathy, breezy vocals carry across an acoustic guitar-driven, gentle sort of psychedelia, from the synesthetic jumbling of the senses- “I think I thought I heard you smile”- to kaleidoscopic repetition. The infectious tune mingles the introspective lyricism of Elliot Smith with the jangling indie-experimentation of Elephant 6 Collective. Clearly, sunny days are ahead for Stephansson."

Stay Gone Review

March 28, 2016

"'Stay Gone,' will ease the pain of Monday as you let your mind stay in the weekend with this gentle indie rock track. There’s a simple elegance to the track– the guitar jangles along, but in no real rush, while the vocals are so lush and mellow. Bits of percussion add the final touches on the song so that you’re swooning through all two minutes."

It's Never Over Review

February 08, 2016

"'It’s Never Over' is a peek through said lens, dreamy pop sure to cure the Monday blues. Written as a gentle lullaby for his son, the darker tones behind the upbeat music give way to deeper meanings that can be woven throughout the series.  It’s Never Over' is Beach House meets The Beatles, a song not to be missed today!"

Suntrodden I Review

February 01, 2016

"Atlanta native Erik Stephansson (aka Suntrodden) delivers minimalist pop of  with a light vocal that recalls Elliot Smith or Beach House.  he relaxed sounds feel like the calm before a storm brews — and the music has that sense of anticipation. Experience it."

Suntrodden I Premiere

January 29, 2016

“I don’t remember a moment in my life that wasn’t soundtracked. Whether I was taking piano lessons at Suzuki, exploring my parent’s record collection filled with obscure Canadian folk music, or pillaging my brother’s far-ranging tastes for psychedelia and avant-garde jazz, I was creating an appreciation for ‘the song’ that would turn into a lifelong love affair.”

Suntrodden Makes Magnet a Mix Tape

January 18, 2016

"Erik Stephansson has been nice enough to put together a list of songs for our readers. Suntrodden’s new EP, Suntrodden I, will be out on February 5, so give this mix a listen to hear what inspired it’s creation."

It's Never Over Review

January 11, 2016

"Suntrodden is inching closer and closer to the February 5 release of new EP Suntrodden I, and to celebrate we’ve got a download of his new song 'It’s Never Over.' A nice little ‘60s-tinged indie pop tune, 'It’s Never Over' is perfect for fans of Figure 8-era Elliott Smith."

It's Never Over Premiere

January 05, 2016

"Atlanta’s Suntrodden are preparing to release their new Suntrodden I EP on February 5. Surviving the Golden Age is excited to premiere the EPs lead single, 'It’s Never Over.' The minimalist pop song at first might sound like an unfinished demo still awaiting drums and a fuller arrangement. Reading deeper into the history of the song, it was written as a gentle lullaby for Erik Stephansson’s infant son. While Stephansson’s vocals may lull you to sleep, the lyrics are a bit darker than then the music lets on."

Sunrise to Sunset Review

January 04, 2016

"2016 is going to be a busy year for Erik Stephansson’s home-studio project Suntrodden. 'Sunrise To Sunset' is a peek behind the curtain of what will be 3 (yes THREE!) EP releases this year. Shimmering acoustic focused production makes this an easy track to fall in love with. Stephansson’s doubled falsetto seems effortless, and should resonate with any fans of XO and Either/Or era Elliott Smith. The first of Suntrodden’s trio of EPs drops on February 5th, and we’ll keep our ears open for what new sounds the other two EPs bring our way."

Sunrise to Sunset Review

December 17, 2015

"Erik Stephansson aka Suntrodden, debuts his stripped back songwriting that may well draw instant comparison, but rightfully so, doesn’t question the skillful honest of this chap. Set against a simple melody, his whimsical voice is delicate but oh so comforting."

Daily Discovery

December 04, 2015

"I WROTE THIS SONG:  Actually as a response to the whole concept of what eventually became Suntrodden.  I was at Bonnaroo in 2013 a few months before my son was born when I had the ‘you need to record more music moment.’  “Sunrise to Sunset” became sort of a manifesto…Quit ‘bleeding the day away’ and ‘give you all I got.’"

Sunrise to Sunset Review

November 09, 2015

"After the birth of his son in 2013, songwriter Erik Stephansson, a father for the first time, was inspired to start a new recording project under the moniker Suntrodden. Given the circumstances, you might think 'Sunrise to Sunset,' the lead single from his upcoming Suntrodden I EP, would be something akin to a lightning bolt of positivity, but the dreamy indie pop we’re presented with here appears far more subdued."

Sunrise To Sunset Review

November 09, 2015

"Erik Stephansson (a.k.a. Suntrodden) will release his debut EP, Suntrodden I, on February 5. He recently unveiled the set’s opening number, 'Sunrise To Sunset,' a charming little indie-pop tune that shows off Stephansson’s sleepy, rolling-out-of-bed vocal style."

Sunrise to Sunset Review

"Some artists use music as a way of shielding themselves from the outside world and prying eyes and ears; others use it as a means of communication, a kind of reflective conversation that would otherwise be lost to the din of everyday life. For singer-songwriter Erik Stephansson, this idea of recoiling back into music is something that goes against the very idea of why music exists.sson, this idea of recoiling back into music is something that goes against the very idea of why music exists."