GENERAL

• “Darker Lighter is a fantastic rock success from start to finish.” - Obscure Sound

• “In a world where so many prefer to play it safe, 'Darker Lighter' is a breath of electrified, uncompromising air. Brimming with innovation and adventurous spirit at every turn…” - Mystic Sons

• “This is the sound of an artist kicking the doors open on his own terms, delivering something raw, relentless, and ready to set fire to the rulebook. - Return Of Rock

• “Meet Salar Rajabnik” - Shoutout LA

• Chorus.FM Interview - Chorus.FM

• “Meet Salar Rajabnik” - Canvas Rebel

FULL LENGTH SELF TITLED ALBUM

“The record’s emotional gravity is undeniable, tapping into a universal feeling of not quite fitting the mold, whether it be cultural, political, or simply the cost of staying true to oneself. / Rajabnik’s blend of indie-rock firepower and post-punk moodiness is delivered with the kind of authenticity that can’t be faked. / In a world where so many prefer to play it safe, 'Darker Lighter' is a breath of electrified, uncompromising air. Brimming with innovation and adventurous spirit at every turn…” - Mystic Sons

“Rajabnik’s gift for weaving hope and sorrow together in a way that feels both massive and achingly intimate… / His lyricism cuts to the bone, especially when addressing the steep toll authenticity often demands.” - Return Of Rock

“Throughout the album, Rajabnik’s songwriting is consuming in its from-the-heart yearning and depictions of soul-searching — often set alongside momentum-filled structures with alt-rock pedigree.” - Obscure Sound

HANGING ON

• “Los Angeles Indie Rocker Darker Lighter Makes a Grand Debut in the Video for Hanging On. Hanging On wrestles with the wear and tear of a soul stretched thin, a man who’s lost his sense of self after years of bending to the whims of others. The song stirs with restlessness, a deep-seated hunger to reclaim what’s been buried, while caught between letting go of the past and hanging on to some flicker of hope. It’s a tale of tugging between the old and the new, the known and the unknown, all while struggling to breathe beneath the weight of a fractured identity.” - Post-Punk.com

• “Darker Lighter is the new solo venture of songwriter Salar Rajabnik, who will release the project’s debut album, “Darker Lighter,” on March 28. The first single “Hanging On” (the video by Joey Martinez captures Rajabnik playing all the instruments on the song) feels comfortably jangling and spacious.” (Featured on Buzzbands.la show & played on associated radio station 88.5 The SoCal Sound) - Buzzbands.la

• “Hanging On” is particularly powerful in its refusal to resolve its central conflict. The tension between “giving up & hanging on” remains unresolved, suggesting that perhaps the struggle itself is the point. It’s a bold artistic choice that feels especially authentic coming from someone who’s spent years watching others take center stage. - B-Side Guys

• “Darker Lighter’s music feels both raw and deeply personal, with "Hanging On" blending nostalgic indie rock elements with a modern twist that hits hard emotionally. It’s the kind of track that makes you reflect, balancing intricate soundscapes with powerful, relatable themes.” - Rebel Noise

• “Hanging On combines electronic and acoustic drums, paying tribute to punk-funk icon Prince; while blending warm synths and jangly guitar layers, the track also echoes the sounds of The Pretenders, Television, and The Cars, offering a nostalgic yet modern listening experience. Lyrically, the song delves deep into themes of identity forfeiture, the pain of losing loved ones, and the relentless fight to retain a sense of self.” - Spill Magazine

• “The distortion, the rawness of the guitar and the vibrant rhythmic line are integrated as elements of a narrative that transmits emotions, sensations and reflections on identity, its loss and chiaroscuro in its understanding. The magic of this track lies in its depth, but above all in the way in which, through music, it addresses topics that will connect in an empathetic way with the listeners.” - R+

• “Hanging On is all tight drums, swirling synths and jangly guitars and as such this Darker Lighter solo recording project of Los Angeles based Salar Rajabnik could be the re-incarnation of any number of Creation Records acts if it was not for his added sense of War on Drugs-style “beautiful.”” - Jangle Pop Hub

NOTHING’S EVER GONNA BE THE SAME AGAIN

• “The success of “Nothing’s Ever Gonna Be The Same Again” lies in its commitment to its cause – both musical and ideological. Darker Lighter has created something that functions simultaneously as a post-punk revival piece and a genuine call to arms, suggesting that Rajabnik’s evolution as an artist will be anything but predictable.” - B-Side Guys

• “Salar Rajabnik’s prowess as a songwriter takes center stage in this defiant release. The song surges with a furious call for reckoning, a fierce demand for accountability, and an unyielding cry for change. No more excuses for past harm inflicted by the powerful. It resounds with the spirit of collective uprising, a firm refusal to endure oppression, and an iron determination to shatter the chains of injustice. The lyrics throb with the certainty of consequences, proclaiming the end of old, corrupt ways and the dawn of something new—where the wrongdoers face the full force of long-overdue judgment, with no forgiveness granted.” - Post-Punk.com

SOMEDAY SOON

• “… serves as a bridge, connecting the yearning ache of his previous releases, Hanging On, with the simmering intensity of Nothing’s Ever Gonna Be The Same Again. Sounding like something straight out of a mid-90s mix tape – lingering somewhere in the energetic flow of Sonic Youth, the Meat Puppets, Toadies, and Dinosaur Jr, Someday Soon captures a visceral collision of desperation and determination, creating a relentless, rain-drenched anthem for those caught between longing and the promise of something new.” - Post-Punk.com

• “…as if Nick Cave and The Cure had decided to meet for a night of confessions.” - Zona Emergente

• “…a song that will portray that need for change where emotions spring up like new water.” - End Sessions

• “Rajabnik’s songwriting excels with its balancing of vulnerability and striving for betterment, achieving a memorable pull in its alt-rock vigor and pop approachability.” - Obscure Sound

• “…a song that explores an uplifting, attractive and brilliant personality within genres such as Post-Punk, Indie Rock and Alt Rock, without losing the strength and rawness that characterize these styles.” - R+

• “The theme is completed with an atmosphere full of nostalgia and emotional tension, which keeps listeners trapped from beginning to end, while they immerse themselves in a soundscape in which indie and alternative encounter a rich load of emotion.” - Oleada Indie

NICE TO MEET YOU

• “Nice To Meet You” offers listeners a reflection on time, loss, and the intricate relationships that shape our lives. Rajabnik describes the song as a wistful love anthem while noting that it invites various interpretations, ranging from fleeting encounters to profound introspections on the human condition. The track’s sonic landscape pays homage to his musical influences, drawing from the likes of The Cure and Prince, blending elements that highlight his authentic sound. - Purculture

• Magnet Magazine Exclusive Premier - Magnet Magazine

• Single Premier/Q&A - The Big Takeover

OPEN UP, SUNSHINE

• “Open Up, Sunshine” charges from Rajabnik’s calloused fingers like steam from split pavement: hot, heavy, and hurrying toward something better. Guitars grind and glisten, drums gallop, vocals veer between snarl and soar, landing somewhere between the swagger of the Toadies and the expansive melodies of Dinosaur Jr. It’s sweat-stained, speaker-splitting determination; a no-frills fight against settling for less—a shout, a sprint, a stubborn spark struck in the face of futility. - Post-Punk.com

• “His new single is a hook-heavy indie-rock stormer that longs for brighter days. Cathartic and loaded with replay value – we’re delighted to be premiering ‘Open Up, Sunshine’ ahead of its release as Darker Lighter’s next single…” - Backseat Mafia

• “ Performing every instrument himself, “Open Up, Sunshine,” is a rebellious indie rock fusion of guitar, drums, and Rajabnik’s layered vocals, urging listeners urging listeners in a triumphant anthem to make the most of life.” - Vents Magazine

• “On ‘Open Up, Sunshine,’ Rajabnik takes on every instrument, delivering a high-octane fusion of indie rock and post-punk that pulses with rebellious energy. With its driving guitars, propulsive drums, and Rajabnik’s layered, impassioned vocals, the track serves as a triumphant anthem for seizing life.” - It’s Psychedelic Baby Magazine

• “Open Up, Sunshine,” with its classic, strongly rocking vibes and talk about wanting the best for oneself and holding out for someone special, might be the message that we all need. With a sound inspired by the rock idealists of the 1960s, Darker Lighter dares to dream of strongly improved times. We may all be helped by the very same exercise! - Alt77