For the regular readers of our magazine, you will have come across Ervin Munir before. Ervin and his music have been regularly reviewed here and my editor, Mark, spoke to him around the time his last album was released. To get a fresh listen to the new album I asked Mark to do the review which is at the end of this feature as he hasn’t really listened to the earlier singles and can approach things fresh. I am doing the interview part and the write up! I’m going to share the press release with you for the album, then it’s my interview before we turn to the album review. Thus, a reading feast for you!
The press release –
“Norfolk based folk singer-songwriter Ervin Munir released his third studio album, “When I Think,” on February 6.
The 11-track collection marks another strong step forward for Ervin and it brings together emotional piano melodies, gripping storytelling and unexpected musical turns. From the opening notes of “Lifeline” to the closing track “Live And Learn,” the album refuses to sit still. Ervin takes listeners on an adventure through intimate, nail-biting lyrics that feel like conversations you might have with yourself at 2am. The album has a raw quality too that cuts through, backed by arrangements that shift from stripped-back folk to moments where the guitars kick in with a rocky edge. The title track, “When I Think,” will be accompanied by an animated video, giving visual life to one of the album’s most personal moments. It’s a song that sits at the heart of what Ervin does best: making you feel something real. Standout tracks like “Rainfall Memories,” “I Don’t Care” and “One Step Beyond” reveal the breadth of what Ervin brings to this record and each song feels necessary, like it had to be written and shared.
This album also carries a deeper emotional resonance behind the scenes. “When I Think” is dedicated to the late Aeron Z Jones, Ervin’s long-term producer and close friend, who sadly passed away recently. Aeron played a pivotal role in shaping Munir’s sound across his previous releases. Also, his influence is felt throughout the record. The dedication serves not only as a tribute to their creative partnership, but to the friendship and spirit that helped bring these songs to life. The digital album drops on 6th February, with CD and vinyl formats to follow.”
With all this in mind I turned to an interview with Ervin. It was interesting for me as I have reviewed a few of his singles before and it is always nice to get to know the person behind the songs a bit.
“This album feels very inward-looking – almost like a series of late-night conversations with yourself. Was “When I Think” written from a more reflective place than your previous records?”
Ervin: “When I Think” was the first song I wrote after my wife died in 2017. It started as a list of things I was feeling and experiencing and, writing it down, helped me process the horrible shift in my world. It didn’t seem ready for release until 8 years later. Something was missing structurally and I managed to fix it. Even then I needed to wait.
The record moves fluidly between stripped-back folk and moments where the guitars really bite. Did you consciously give yourself permission to be less restrained sonically on this album?
Ervin: I’ve always tried not to be constrained sonically or even by genre. My songs, once written, have a life of their own in that sense. It also helps that I have an eclectic taste in music and that between myself and Aeron Z Jones we could play a lot of instruments.
I always imagine I have my dream band when recording a new song.
You’ve spoken before about albums as journeys rather than collections of songs. With When I Think, what journey did you want the listener to come away having taken?” And can I comment on that interesting Medieval style album cover, that is really interesting and a bit of a journey in itself!
Ervin: Apart from “When I Think” the rest represent my songwriting journey. As for the artwork for this album it’s produced by Simon Glossup and inspired by ‘Athanasius Kirshir – Ars Magna Lucius Umbrae.’ I have also commissioned an animated video based on the artwork.
The album is dedicated to Aeron Z Jones, who played such a huge role in shaping your sound. How did finishing this record without him change the way you listened to your own songs?
Ervin: By chance, Aeron had completed mixing and mastering all the tracks on the album. So, the sound I have developed over the last three years remains consistent. Listening to the songs has been different for me. I’m tending to listen out for pieces of brilliance from Aeron.
“Tracks like ‘Rainfall Memories’ and ‘Live And Learn’ feel less like statements and more like hard-earned realizations. Do you feel this album reflects a shift from asking questions to accepting answers?”
Ervin: That’s a good point! It is very possible that I have become clearer about how I could be living my life in a better way. However, I wasn’t conscious of this while writing the songs. You live and learn I suppose.
“You’ve always said the story is central to what you do. On this album, were there any songs that felt almost too personal to release?
Ervin: As stated earlier “When I Think” was definitely a song I worried about releasing. It is a very personal song about when I was at my lowest. “Voices” is also a personal song. I am very much aware of fighting procrastination myself and there are important people in my life who experience similar feelings.
“The title track, I believe, is getting an animated video – which adds a visual layer to something very internal. What did animation allow you to express that a live-action video wouldn’t?”
Ervin: In some way, the animation has helped me to distance myself a little bit from the subject matter. I couldn’t have produced a live-action video version. It would have been too emotional for me.
Looking back at our conversation in 2023, you talked about not wanting to be constrained by form or expectation. Standing on your third album now, do you feel closer to the artist you set out to be, or has the target changed?
Ervin: I never set a target. In this way I have been continually surprised and delighted by what I have managed to achieve so far. Aeron Z Jones has been a big part of my musical journey so far and I know things will be different in future without him. I am in the process of building relationships with new producers and I will be releasing new songs later this year. The first song I’ll release next is likely to be “My Friend” which, ironically, was the last of my songs recorded and mixed by Aeron.
Last question – The tour bus breaks down on a lonely road far from the nearest town. It is night time, the weather is savage. One lonely house is there with a light on…strangely no-one is home, but it is warm and has food…tell me the book and film that will help you through the night!
Book – Isaac Asimov – I Robot, I love sci-fi and the laws of robotics.
Film – The Young Frankenstein, love this great comedy with Gene Wilder and Marty Feldman. And …although you didn’t ask (!) Album – Pink Floyd – “Dark Side of the Moon.”
So, with all these reflections behind us, we progress to the album review:
“Lifeline” is a duet with Kate Swanson and, due to the female vocal, it is a slight outlier in the album. The track is a drifting, piano led, number. It is a powerful listen, very radio friendly – the type of thing you may expect to listen to on Radio 2. Highly melodic and with these layered harmonised vocals. A strong opener to the album.
“Rainfall Memories” turns toward the acoustic guitar and muses over the raindrop falling and the pain of loss. The song moves into the gently uplifting storytelling/folk muse. It sits comfortably within the album and the instrumentalization is layered and fluid.
“Perfect Moment” continues lyrically with the rain coming down. The song strikes me as personal and conversational, the fiddle is present to add a lift to the song. It’s a song that drifts happily without fully engaging me.
“Should’ve Known Better” was one that I liked. It has an instant lightness about it, a whistle along rhythm and a jaunty step. Remember the peddler from “Winter’s Tale” – this is the type of song he would appreciate, I think, a song for the road!
“I Don’t Care” is a song about not wanting to fall in love (with you!). It is a relaxing mid-album track that looks into a beautiful face and reflects on the moment. It’s a simple composition that works with a gentle harmony to link the two halves of the album.
“Voices” is another one that connects very quickly. The song and the story are sung with a whistle and a simple sway. I would describe this as a late night song, one for the sofa and a cup of tea!
“When I Think” is the track Ervin talks about in our interview. The song has a poignancy when you know the back story, but although the lyrics are sad the music and harmony remains uplifting and the song never becomes a lament. We all suffer loss and work our way through it, music can be one route through.
“Right From The Start” is a romantic track, appropriate for this month with Valentines Day. It is a song about having the person we love in our arms, and if we are lucky enough to keep that person there then we have done well indeed. It’s a strong vocal performance from Ervin.
“Today’s Another Day” – I liked the single art work for this one, I popped it just before the review section. I actually like the way the art in so many of Ervin’s pieces help thread the music. I’d describe him as a visual folk artist. This was in my top three likes on the album, it took me a little toward Beatles territory, and there are these little nods toward outside references. It’s a good track.
“One Step Beyond”- whenever I hear the phrase “One Step Beyond” I am taken to Madness with their rather wonderful mod dancing – this has nothing to do with that! What we have here is an acoustic track, stripped back music and vocals as we seek to fly away. Again, the harmony touches were well done on the vocals and it provides a close intimate moment.
“Live And Learn” closes down the album in an uplifting and positive way even if we are driving headlong into the abyss! Along with “Lifeline” and “Tomorrows Another Day” this slips into my top three. It is an entertaining track, putting me in a good mood as I finished off the review!
In summary, Norfolk folk songwriter Ervin Munir opens up about loss, reflection and creative freedom on his deeply personal third album “When I Think.” Blending intimate late-night storytelling with moments of unexpected sonic bite, the record stands as both tribute and turning point. Dedicated to late producer Aeron Z Jones, the album carries emotional weight without ever losing its warmth or hope.
Love what we do? Rock the Joint Magazine is completely free — no paywalls, no ads ruining the read — just passionate music journalism for 1,000+ readers a day. If you enjoy hanging out with us, please consider hitting the “Support Us” button and buying us a coffee on Ko-Fi. Even a small donation genuinely helps keep the magazine running, lets us publish more features, and reminds us that people value independent music writing.
Stream music from Ervin Munir here
Artist Website here
By Lorraine Foley
and
Mark C Chambers (review)
