Airbag guitarist Bjørn Riis put out one of my favorite albums of 2017 with “Forever Comes to an End.” Needless to say (yet I am), I was very excited to find he was releasing a follow up mini-album/EP called “Coming Home.” Riis is not only a great guitar player but even though he is not the lead vocalist in Airbag, he very well could be because he is a great singer as well. Add in that he writes excellent songs and you have a formidable combination.

“Coming Home” is definitely an extension of “”Forever Comes to an End” but it definitely does NOT sound like left overs or outtakes. They might very well be but Riis is so talented that his cast offs would be as good as any of his music. “Coming Home” does get off to a bit of a rocky start for me with the new age instrumental “Daybreak.” It’s nice and all but never really goes anywhere.

Things are back on track with the title song “Coming Home” which builds from an acoustic piece with a great vocal to a full band number that has that Floydian vibe Riis (and Airbag) are so good at doing. “Drowning” is a duet with Norwegian singer Sichelle, who I was not familiar with prior to this. Her voice fits in well with both the music and Riis’ voice. The song’s lyrics are so moving and emotional. Plus, there’s some excellent guitar work on it as well. Next is “Tonight’s the Night” is piano heavy track with TONS of atmosphere.

The album closes with an alternate semi-acoustic take of the title track from his first solo album “Lullabies in a Car Crash.” It definitely fits the overall vibe of the EP but in including it, it also makes the EP into a nice sampler for those not familiar with Bjørn Riis. “Coming Home” is both a welcome addition for fans who know Bjørn Riis and a nice introduction to those who will be fans of him as well.

Rating: 9/10

Tracklist:

1. Daybreak 4:00
2. Coming Home 6:44
3. Drowning 6:14
4. Tonight’s the Night 3:16
5. Lullabies in a Car Crash (alternate version) 6:29

Label: Karisma Records
Release: 23 February 2018
Website: www.bjornriis.com