Eli Lev – Past Lives
Eli Lev included the voices of his actual ancestors on his upcoming release – the tellingly-named Past Lives… And when we say that his relatives are “included,” we don’t just mean as an iPhone voice memo clip, or some random interlude. Eli actually works their essence into this five-song collection of folk-coded indie pop in a way that feels poignant and reverent. You can call it a concept album, but Past Lives is more than that – it’s a celebration of Eli’s foundation as a person. Here’s a little more about what their inclusion means to him:
“This album honors my ancestors… Their voices and stories are the foundation of who I am. I wanted to bring them forward – not just in memory, but in sound, in rhythm, in life.”
The album opens with “Echo,” in this case, an introduction to both Eli and his family. Eli’s music is both accessible and well-written, a strong indie-pop sensibility with careful attention paid to melody and songcraft. The outlier here is the feature from Bubbe Sarah. These are real people and real voices – and hearing about Sarah’s birth in 1892 (only 100 years off from what I’m assuming is the average birth year of our reader base), it brings a gravity to these songs that wouldn’t exist otherwise. It’s a unique juxtaposition – to include stoic monologues that you’d typically hear on a guided museum tour or on a PBS documentary in an indie pop song… But it certainly conjures a feeling unlike any other.
While the inclusion of his ancestors brings a nostalgic weight to the project, it also feels like Eli made this particular piece of art with himself in mind. And while these clips might mean something different to anyone who listens, that’s ultimately what makes them special, because these songs come from a place of sincerity and love. That realness helps these interview clips land, even without the context provided by an EPK.
“Echo” is an excellent place to start, but the rest of the EP is full of strong, folk-forward songwriting that highlights Eli’s grasp on the genre. “Where We Come From” blossoms from a gently-plucked acoustic composition into a full-fledged stomp/clapper – an uncannily apt feel match that almost suggests the rhythm at which a blue collar worker might be swinging a hammer on a bright summer morning. “My Wish Was You” and “Who I Was” turn the intensity down in a welcome way, opting for heartfelt and introspective vibes. The latter features an excerpt from Uncle Ben where he discusses working on the farm/mill. Lastly, “Our Friends” acts as the EP’s emotional centerpiece – with its gently orchestrated instrumental, lyrics about folks that we’ve both loved and lost, and Eli’s breathy vocal, it sets the scene for a few final clips that pluck your heartstrings in all the right ways.
Past Lives is available on October 8th, 2025. Until then, get familiar with lead single, “Echo” via the YouTube embed below. Stay up with Eli’s comings-and-goings via his website as well.
Categorised in: Album Reviews
This post was written by Nick Sessanna