When it is time for reflection, I turn to music. The Easter Parade‘s ‘Raindrops on the Lens’ is a collection of tracks that helps me reflect and turn inwards when necessary, through vibrant musical compositions, and soft, genuine vocals.
After a stunning prologue, ‘Sing Our Kids to Sleep’ is a soft and warm-hearted track a la Tom Odell, with spoken vocals that beautifully narrate its story. The cinematic style of The Easter Parade makes for ever dynamic listening experiences, which is apparent throughout the EP. Tender tones make for a comfortable listen, most highlighted on the EPs title track. Another Steinway-driven track is the hushed ‘Yesterday’s Grace’, which comes before a live rendition of ‘Adeline’. I didn’t think it was possible to hear a more heart-wrenching version of The Easter Parade’s sound and vocals, but he proves it possible on ‘Adeline’, a stunning EP closer.
On ‘Raindrops on the Lens’, Matt Steven, the brains behind The Easter Parade, said; “If you like singer songwriter type of music, such as Randy Newman and Tom Waits, strings and piano, or old black and white movies, I think this EP could be for you!” The four track EP was primarily written and recorded at his Northamptonshire studio, Indigo Scala, and builds on the nostalgic and cinematic world. He often narrates about memory, longing, and the half-remembered stories we carry with us. “Much of the EP was recorded live, with the aim of capturing a moment rather than constructing one.”
“After a long time of not releasing music, I’m really happy to share a new collection of honest and reflective songs, which I hope somebody somewhere might appreciate. They were inspired by old black and white films like Roman Holiday and recorded with as few overdubs as possible. That felt important somehow; to leave space for the small but meaningful moments to come through. I didn’t want to polish anything too much. They’re just songs about memories that have stayed with me, things that felt important, even if I’m not always sure why. Hopefully there’s something in them that feels familiar to you too. It’s a quiet little record, really. But I think that’s what it wanted to be.”
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