'Mirror At Night' is the second solo album by the male half of Lore City, from Portland, Oregon. It's funny how this review came about. I received a 7" vinyl record in the mail titled "Mirror At Night B-Sides" when I wasn't even aware Bessel had a new album out (released October 31, 2025). The release date for this record (they call it an EP but really it's just a 2-sided single) is February 25th for preview and Mach 27th for the physical product.

So this review is for both the album and the single. Eric's first solo album ('Visitation') was ambient and so is 'Mirror At Night,' consisting of twelve brief tracks, most of which barely exceed the four minute mark. Kicking things off with "Tendons," the track seems to rely solely on manipulated guitar sonics that incorporates elements of feedback. "Snow Globe" has a more expansive sound with shimmering echo and heavily modified synth pads. "Scavengers" incorporates interesting synth programming with heavily chambered ambience. Somewhat spooky, or ghostly. "Recombinant" has a more experimental temperament with broken melodies floating and bumping into each other in a weightless dimension. "Non-diegetic Sound" is typically ambient with sustained, richly textured chordal pads. There is a sense of motion on the aptly titled "Moving Walkway" and some sonics in it could allude to a transportation hub or station. The briefest track, "Hesitation" (only 1:43) is primarily sustained melancholy strings. "Headlamps" takes echo effects to a new level but manages to coax something nearly melodic out of the chaos. It kind of reminds me of radio music from a distant station that comes in waves when the signal is not strong. It's all heavenly clouds on "Coming Around" and there is a subtle melodic loop in the drift. "Clearing" is richly orchestral and sonically the opposite of the previous track. I'm imagining Poseidon's orchestra tuning up. So what stays afloat in this ocean of sound? Must be the next track, "Buoy," adrift on the sea of sonority. Finally, we end up in the "Aphotic Zone," a murky trip into the underwater depths. Quite an interesting episodic album.

As for the 'Mirror At Night B-Sides,' these are two track not on the album. The A-side is "Double Helix" (4:31) and "Upstate" (4:08) as the B-side. While the A-side of the B-sides is a little better than the B-side of the B-sides with its echoey shimmering slice of ambience, it sounds more like an effect that should lead to something else and not stand alone. To me, this is merely a curiosity piece and less interesting than anything on the album. I think the ten-buck price tag will limit the appeal to vinyl collectors of oddities on wax with money to burn. Just buy (download) the album and leave it at that as it is a dollar cheaper, or $22.00 if you want it on vinyl.