My gentle new angel – Momentary Decisions, Lifelong Memories

It’s refreshing to see new projects coming from places that rarely receive much attention within DIY emo/skramz circles. While Romania has produced its share of notable acts over the years, it remains largely absent from broader conversations around the genre. My gentle new angel is one of the latest projects attempting to change that.

Based in Transylvania and founded by Iancu Cristian in 2025, My gentle new angel operates as a collaborative project, bringing different vocalists into its orbit. Following the release of the debut single “a chance to give what he could not receive” in April, the project returned later that year with its first EP, Momentary Decisions, Lifelong Memories.

Across five tracks, the EP ties together midwest emo, dream pop, and shoegaze into a sound that feels nostalgic without becoming trapped by nostalgia. Jangly guitar melodies, soft distortion, and understated rhythms provide the foundation, while the rotating cast of vocalists gives each song its own emotional character.

The opening track, “Given What Was Not Received”, introduces many of the themes that run throughout the release: loneliness, miscommunication, and the lingering effects of emotional disappointment. Elsewhere, “Timewaster” turns introspective, dwelling on regret and imagined futures that never materialize. Even its spoken-word passage feels less like reflection and more like someone caught in a cycle of endless second-guessing.

The brief interlude “Once were… but will never again” acts as a moment of reflection, allowing the EP to drift into its strongest stretch. “The Greatest Promise” stands out as the emotional centerpiece, pairing dream-pop textures with soaring vocals that elevate its romantic longing without tipping too much into sentimentality. The closing track, “He Who Has No Wings Must Run”, strips everything back to acoustic guitar and subdued vocals. Its search for belonging and self-definition ties together many of the questions raised throughout the EP, ending the record with quiet uncertainty.

Musically, the project draws from familiar touchstones like The Appleseed Cast, Empire! Empire! (I Was a Lonely Estate), and early Mineral, but it never feels like simple imitation. Regret, memory, longing, and self-reflection keep circling through the record, making the title Momentary Decisions, Lifelong Memories feel less like a poetic phrase and more like the emotional core of the EP. It’s a modest debut, but one that works. The songs are built on atmosphere, sincerity, and a lingering melancholy that stays with you after the brief runtime is over.