EP Review: Graces – EP1
EP1
Words: Julia Grantham
There are five tracks on EP1 by Graces, maybe one more than I was expecting, no bad thing of course. I love the simplicity of a single word for each title, as is the case here. The first: Hepburn, is ambiguous in itself but eludes to Audrey Hepburn, and mentions her specifically. The hook for me in this song was its introduction. The first thirty seconds is a slow building crescendo of waves of white noise combined with a single synth-pop note; it is both hypnotising and entrancing. By the time the electric guitars take over the tune, we are invited to think of late 80s/early 90s bands; such is the nature of its sequential passages. They remind me of moments in films such as Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, or maybe just an early demo if the band Journey were to release such a back-dated previously unreleased ‘behind the scenes’ album. Lyrically, some humour is injected into the song, all about the significance of labels and icons in today’s over-saturated-celebrity-media-market. We are invited to think about what relevance legends of the silver screen have in the world today.
If I had unlimited time and words to discuss the whole EP in vivid detail, I would analyse every single song and write pages and pages, however, allow me to select a further two to scrutinise and hopefully pass on some affection to you, the reader, for this band. The second track is Amber brings up images of flashing amber lights, beacons, midway between stop and go and this song doesn’t waver too far between chords. Indeed, the synth here acts as a bass between the melody which doesn’t need many bridges or movement between the octaves; very telling and it paints an orange-coloured backdrop to the overall mood of the song. As if stuck, unsure, and melancholy as a result. A very thought provoking and brooding tune.
My favourite track on this debut though is the very simply titled: Worry. Here Graces depict someone broken, loyalties confused, fear and uncertainty but with the hint of a bright future. I love the fact that it includes the words: ‘Let it go!’ I don’t like the vast prevalence of the popular film Frozen, but that message is important in life, in that simple phrase. Other key lyrics from the song include: ‘You won’t play the game, because you’re scared to lose’ and ‘Oh the agony of being alive!’ Do we need to be in pain to be alive and here? I hope not. And what games are we playing? Well, who knows but this song serves as a reminder to us all to just be, and to live and learn. I love the fact that the lyrics come in earlier than previous tracks, almost as if this closing song is the voice of reason. Thank you Graces, I love your debut EP, please tell us here at Popped when you tour The UK!
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