EP Review: Sykofant — Leaves

It’s reasonable for anyone who has heard previous music from Sykofant to greet the release of Leaves with both anticipation and high expectations. The group’s self-titled debut was a breath of fresh air on the progressive music landscape. Sykofant-the-album introduced the Norwegian quartet’s wide-encompassing and eclectic musical worldview in grand style. That album was equal parts concept album and stylistic sampler. Its strengths, however, may have led some listeners to wonder aloud (as I did in a late 2024 interview with the group): “Where will Sykofant go next?”

At the time, guitarist and songwriter Emil Moen was candid. “To be honest,” he admitted, “we don’t know.” Drummer Melvin Treider offered – half-jokingly, one assumes – that the group might embark upon a “complete fusion” odyssey, “some kind of late Herbie Hancock kind of thing.”

That’s not what happened. In fact they had already sketched out some basic ideas. The second part of Treider’s answer to that question made it clear that a pair of EPs were planned. And so it was that the Red Sun EP was released in early 2025. That fine release built upon the musical ideas introduced on the debut. And in January 2026, a second EP was released: Leaves.

A quick but relevant aside: When Sykofant was released, my digital evaluation version featured the album’s six tracks plus a continuous mix, single-track edit that presented the entire work as a seamless whole. In my many (countless, in fact) listens of the album, I found that the seamless version was, for me, the way to experience it.

When Red Sun was released digitally, the EP was offered in similar fashion: three tracks plus a 23-minute seamless edit. And Sykofant has used this now-proven approach for Leaves as well. (Red Sun and Leaves will eventually be released as a combined work on CD, with vinyl to follow a few months later. And notwithstanding my observation about the seamless experience, I’ll be acquiring the vinyl.)

The angular, aggressive tones that featured in parts of the debut (and much of Red Sun) are dialed back on Leaves. Instead, the album focuses on delivering a more pastoral, contemplative ambiance. “Roots and Canopy” opens with dramatic strums on a guitar, redolent of Pink Floyd’s “Welcome to the Machine” yet much less foreboding. The lyrics set a scene that’s dreamy and mysterious; once the lyrics play out, a thunderous change opens a metaphorical curtain; as the song winds toward its end, a wordless chorus is backed by energetic ensemble work.

That change leads straight into the chugging intro of “Mycelium March.” The rhythm is vaguely reminiscent of some of the midsection of Pink Floyd’s epic “Echoes,” but a stinging, soaring lead guitar break makes it clear that while Sykofant are inspired by rock heroes of the past, they have no shortage of good ideas all their own.

Six minutes into Leaves, the third track has begun. Some lovely Spanish guitar figures introduce the EP’s centerpiece, “Heart of the Woods.” But as soon as the listener begins to settle into the lovely acoustic work, the band deftly shifts gears again, into some alluring harmony vocals and full-band arrangement. A breathtaking and majestic lead guitar provides a link into an energetic section, combining massed vocals and rock-solid instrumental work.

Buried so deep – and so fleetingly – that one might miss it, a lick from “Day Tripper” flashes by, but it’s wrapped in a larger arrangement that’s wholly original. “Heart of the Woods” moves through a succession of textures, but each leads imperceptibly into the next; jarring changes are wholly absent. Even when the music takes a hard-charging direction, with shades of Fear of a Blank Planet-era Porcupine Tree – Sykofant executes the maneuver with purpose and passion. Toward the track’s end, a wordless female choir adds another luscious layer of interest to the musical reverie.

Leaves is progressive in the way that – and forgive me for mentioning them yet again – Pink Floyd always was: not much showing off intricate instrumental work and turn-on-a-dime compositional pyrotechnics, but instead presenting a sonic landscape full of mystery and imagination. Simply by existing, Leaves makes the point that rocking-out and subtlety can creatively coexist. The EP is very much a studio affair, but it stands to reason that live performances of Leaves – especially if paired with Red Sun material – would be a thrilling event indeed.

The creative equal of the band’s debut release, Leaves showcases the melodic and atmospheric dimensions of Sykofant’s artistry. Once again ,the question arises: Where will their musical journey take them (and listeners) next? The answer is one worth waiting for; in the meantime we can be more than content with Leaves.

You may also enjoy…

• My 2024 interview with the group
• My “Best of 2024” list that includes Sykofant
• My “Albums You May Have Missed” piece — originally in SPIN Magazine — featuring Sykofant
• My new book, What’s the Big Idea: 30 Great Concept Albums, featuring (you guessed it) Sykofant