EP Review: The Co$t of Life – “Destination: Unknown”
Blending 80's nostalgia with modern electronic rock, pop, and synthwave, The Co$t of Life is a solo project from Colorado-based songwriter and musician Jason Irving. Music has always been a journey and sanctuary for Jason, blending influences from the pop tunes of the 80's, the dynamic sounds of Mutemath and The Midnight, ambient beats of electronica, and cinematic scores by composers like Thomas Newman.
There is a particular magic in pop music that honors its past while building something heartfelt and contemporary. On “Destination: Unknown,” the debut EP from The Co$t of Life, Colorado artist Jason Irving captures that balance with striking clarity. Rooted in shimmering synths, emotive vocals, and melodic craft, the project lands somewhere between the neon-lit wistfulness of Depeche Mode and the melodic lift of Duran Duran, with modern echoes of The Midnight and M83. It is confident yet searching, nostalgic yet unmistakably present.
“Search the Night” opens like a film scene. Pulsing synth lines and atmospheric pads create a sense of anticipation, while Irving’s vocal delivery carries an earnest yearning that never feels forced. The track blends vulnerability with an almost cinematic tension, calling to mind a world of midnight highways and open skies, where reflection meets forward motion. It is the sound of someone looking for connection and clarity in equal measure.
“Like Any Other Day” leans into a warmer, more contemplative tone. With its steady rhythm and bright melodic lines, the song feels like an intimate journal entry set to glimmering 80s-inspired production. Irving writes with sincerity. The vocal performance lands gently yet purposefully, creating the kind of emotional pull that lingers after the final chorus.
The standout moment arrives with “Where the 80’s Music Played,” a nostalgic pulse of pure synth-pop joy. It is equal parts memory and momentum, capturing the sparkle of youth, the power of a stereo turned all the way up, and the comfort of melodies that feel timeless. It is catchy, wistful, and deeply human.
“Destination: Unknown” announces an artist who understands both the emotional weight of nostalgia and the thrill of reinvention. This is a thoughtful, polished, and promising debut EP, and it signals an exciting creative path ahead. The Co$t of Life is not simply revisiting the past. He is using it as fuel for a future worth paying attention to.