Elysian Fields are back with “Definition,” a re-release that brings this Utah pop-rock record to a much larger platform while staying true to the sound and feel that made it shine originally. Across 48 minutes and 12 tracks, we get a warm, melodic album that pushes big emotion without losing its sense of balance or clarity. Producer Cliff Maag has recorded a project that feels polished, open-hearted and deeply human, carried by the songwriting of James Shumway and Mark Roos. Kerri Murray’s soaring vocals lead ‘Definition’ into songs of ambition, love, loss and the pull of nature, all held together by a sound that still feels fresh and immediate.
The album’s ability to turn everyday feeling into something vivid and memorable is captured from the off in “When the Days Get Hot," a bright, restless opener. The music is alive and it’s built to move forward but never loses the emotional detail that makes Elysian Fields stick. From there, “No Matter What” introduces a steady, reassuring warmth to the mood. It’s got that sort of chorus that is easy to hang on to. The performance gives us that sense of loyalty and emotional commitment that runs through the core of the album. “My Fantasy” then shifts to longing and imagination, adding a more dreamlike quality to the mix. It fits neatly into the album’s wider emotional arc, in that it shows how Elysian Fields can move from grounded pop-rock to something more reflective without breaking the flow.
The emotional movement continues with “Here You Come Here I Go,” a song that brings a playful push-and-pull dynamic to the record. It has a tension and attraction that feels organic rather than forced, and the spacing lets that feeling breathe. The energy is still present, but the depth of the delivery is enough to keep us invested as the album goes on. Then “Staying With You” comes with a softer, more intimate touch. It’s the kind of song that sticks with you, based on devotion and the simple power of choosing connection. These tracks collectively demonstrate why “Definition” still matters: the writing is plainspoken but still reaches for something lasting. That’s what this record is all about. It doesn’t follow fashion. It believes in melody, feeling and honest storytelling which is why it still manages to connect with us today.
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