Album Review: City Of Lights – City Of Lights

Pride & Joy Music – October 23^rd October 2026

Reviewer – Chris O’Connor

It has been a particularly fruitful year for Pride & Joy Music, a label that seemingly possesses an inexhaustible ability to unearth and champion some of the finest melodic rock talent around. And now, as autumn reluctantly surrenders to winter, with the evenings drawing ever shorter and the temperatures heading in a decidedly unwelcome direction, the label has thoughtfully provided us with another musical antidote to the seasonal gloom.

This latest offering comes courtesy of City Of Lights, an intriguing international collaboration bringing together musicians from Britain, Greece and Sweden, with the latter country’s considerable melodic rock pedigree well represented through connections to the likes of Degreed, Arctic Rain and Care Of Night. Given the calibre of the individuals involved, one might reasonably suspect that something rather special could be on the cards.

The origins of City Of Lights can be traced back to 2018, when British guitarist and songwriter Neil Austin approached Greek vocalist Manos Fatsis with a view to adding his considerable vocal talents to a handful of compositions. What began as a relatively modest undertaking soon developed into something altogether more ambitious, the chemistry between the two proving sufficiently compelling for Austin to contemplate assembling a fully fledged band.

Rather wonderfully, instead of embarking upon the customary search for suitable musicians, he decided to approach the rhythm section of one of his favourite groups, Swedish melodic rockers Degreed. Quite possibly to his own astonishment, both bassist Robin Eriksson and drummer Mats Eriksson enthusiastically accepted the invitation, and the foundations of City Of Lights were firmly established.

The band’s debut album, ‘Before The Sun Sets‘, duly arrived in February 2022, with British guitarist Nathan Doyle, a longstanding friend and musical collaborator of Austin‘s, contributing to several compositions before subsequently becoming a permanent fixture in the line-up. Four years down the road, this geographically scattered but musically united collective returns with its eponymous sophomore release, and expectations, understandably, are running rather high.

I shall dispense with any further preamble and come straight to the point: ‘City Of Lights’ has, without the slightest hesitation on my part, established itself as one of my favourite albums of the year. There, I’ve said it, and I make absolutely no apology for my enthusiasm! Of course, the fascinating circumstances surrounding the band’s formation, together with its connections to such illustrious names as Degreed and Care Of Night, provide an intriguing backstory, but these are ultimately secondary to what really matters: the music itself. And what glorious music it is!

Beneath the sumptuous arrangements, magnificent melodies, towering choruses and exhilarating guitar work lies something altogether more substantial than the customary melodic rock fare. There is a genuine emotional depth to these compositions, an exploration of the frailties, uncertainties, disappointments and occasional triumphs that make us human, delivered with a sincerity that is every bit as affecting as the music is uplifting. It is this rather wonderful juxtaposition of musical grandeur and emotional vulnerability that elevates the album beyond being merely another accomplished exercise in melodic rock craftsmanship, transforming it instead into something that resonates on a far more personal level. And, for this particular listener at least, that is precisely what separates a very good album from a truly memorable one.

The album opens with the atmospheric instrumental ‘Main Titles (For Vangelis)’, a suitably cinematic introduction that tips its hat to the legendary Greek composer before ushering us into the magnificent title track. ‘City Of Lights’ wastes little time in establishing the band’s credentials, marrying the irresistible melodic sensibilities of classic AOR with a more adventurous, progressive inclination, the result being a wonderfully expansive composition that positively brims with confidence and ambition. ‘Beautiful & Broken’ follows in similarly impressive fashion, delivering the sort of gloriously uplifting anthem that reminds us precisely why we fell in love with melodic rock in the first place.

There is, however, something particularly affecting about ‘Never Looking Back’, a beautifully emotive offering that demonstrates the band’s ability to tug at the heartstrings without descending into mawkish sentimentality. The mood brightens considerably with ‘Just Like Yesterday’, an infectious, upbeat rocker that fairly bursts with energy, before ‘Learn To Live’ brings proceedings to a more contemplative conclusion for the album’s first half. This is a ballad of considerable elegance and beauty, its more restrained approach providing a welcome opportunity to appreciate the emotional sensitivity that lies at the heart of the band’s songwriting.

If anyone were foolish enough to imagine that City Of Lights might have exhausted their supply of musical delights by the halfway point, ‘Unbreakable’ should swiftly disabuse them of that notion. A wonderfully uplifting rocker, embellished with progressive flourishes and blessed with an absolutely magnificent chorus, it is precisely the sort of composition that demands repeated visits, preferably at a volume that might test the patience of one’s neighbours. ‘Masquerade’ then ventures into rather more muscular territory, introducing elements of progressive power metal into the proceedings without sacrificing the melodic sophistication that characterises the album as a whole. It is a particularly satisfying demonstration of the band’s versatility, proving that they are perfectly comfortable flexing their musical muscles when the occasion demands.

‘One More Night’ maintains the momentum with another driving, exuberant rocker, its infectious energy and irrepressibly uplifting disposition making it virtually impossible to resist. Three very different compositions, perhaps, but each illustrating the remarkable ease with which these musicians move between styles while retaining a coherent and instantly recognisable musical identity. As the album approaches its conclusion, ‘Care For You’ provides another of those moments that remind us just how powerful melodic rock can be when genuine emotion is allowed to take centre stage. A reflective, mid-paced ballad that gradually blossoms into an enormous, heart-stirring chorus, it possesses a warmth and sincerity that I find quite irresistible. ‘We’re A Family’ subsequently restores the more celebratory atmosphere, delivering yet another magnificent melodic rock anthem, brimming with positivity and a sense of togetherness that seems particularly appropriate given the international friendships upon which this band was founded.

Then, all too soon, we arrive at ‘Lights In Rain’, a closing instrumental that brings the journey full circle, providing an elegant and atmospheric counterpart to the album’s opening moments. There is something rather satisfying about this symmetrical approach, the two instrumental pieces effectively serving as musical bookends to a collection of songs that encompasses everything from exuberant, fist-pumping rockers to moments of genuine tenderness and introspection. By the time the final notes have faded into silence, one is left with that most agreeable of dilemmas: whether to sit quietly and savour what has just unfolded, or immediately return to the beginning and experience the whole wonderful thing all over again.

Quite simply, ‘City Of Lights‘ is a breathtaking triumph of melodic rock craftsmanship. The musicianship is nothing short of exemplary, while Manos Fatsis delivers a vocal masterclass, his extraordinary range, emotional sensitivity and sheer power breathing life into every composition. The songwriting is consistently inspired, the arrangements sumptuous and meticulously conceived, and the production so gloriously lush that every musical nuance positively sparkles. This is an album of immense beauty, passion and sophistication, a veritable glistening jewel in an already magnificent year for melodic rock. An essential acquisition that deserves to be heard far and wide!

Track List:

1. Main Titles (for Vangelis)
2. Lights
3. Beautiful Broken
4. Never Look Back
5. Just Like Yesterday
6. Learn To Live
7. Unbreakable
8. Masque
9. One More Night
10. Care For You
11. We’re A Family
12. Lights in Rain

Line-up:

Manos Fatsis (vocals)

Neil Austin (guitar)

Nathan Doyle (guitar)

Robin Eriksson (bass)

Mats Eriksson (drums)

Guests:

Victor Berg (Keys – Care Of Night on #2)

Magnus Berglund (Lead Guitar – Arctic Rain) on #3

Mikael Blanc (Keys – Degreed) on#7

Daniel Johansson (Lead Guitar – Degreed) on #7

Viktor Őstrőm Berg (Lead Guitar – Care Of Night) on #9

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