A post new-romantic sound to introversion and self-criticism Friday, August 19 marks a very special release. The release of the first single of The Livelong June’s second album. Lyric-wise the single is a logic step from where the debut ‘The Art of Living’ took off. Musically you will find a slicker sound, still with that special take the audience have proven to love. The song ‘Not so good at being me’ dwells upon the struggles of being the best of you. It’s a product of depressive thoughts, self-criticism, and sadness. The sadness of not being able – capable – of being the best of yourself. The one you are meant to be and the one you know you are. To balance things up, it’s yet another catchy electronic tune from the Sweden based duo. You’ll find musical influences from the 80s new romantic scene as well as the 90s alternative scene, blended with Scandinavian melancholy.

We are inside the world of VIKINGS, we are in RAGNAROCK!!! A powerful track dedicated to a special moment before the battle. The cross between Synthesizers and metal guitars makes this song a hymn to the conquest of freedom!

Ultimately, the album is a dedication to Irene, my late wife and favourite human whose life ended in 2020. It has no rigid narrative but the totality of the work expresses in atmosphere, in melody, in lyric, a state of existence - my reality in the moment.

Decision Fatugue is the third album of the one-man Karelian project Stairway Maze on which (for the first time ever) you can find not only instrumental tracks traditional for the artist but also a whole bunch of real songs! Great conflux of singers from all over Europe and USA reprsenting such excellent exponents of Electro/EBM scene as Human Vault, Cryo, Oberer Totpunkt, Promenade Cinema and others contributed massivelly to the vivid cinematic music of Stairway Maze. Suspensful pulsating sequences, distorted vocals, powerful electronic beats, catchy melodies and tribal tunes - all entwines organically in this most ambitious work of the project to date.

The album features melodic synths and programmed drums, with a cinematic and atmospheric feel throughout, and the focus on songs that stick in your head. Lyrically, the album deals with the themes of loss (“Failure” and “Silenced”), facing your fears (“Sanctuary” and “The Fear”), and even the capitalist system (“The Final Delivery”)!