Jed Parsons - Album Review: Brunch
Otautahi indie-pop groover and purveyor of 'Seriously Engaging Social Media Content', Jed Parsons, has returned
with his sophomore effort Brunch. A smorgasbord of bouncy, 60’s inspired, guitar-pop complete with tasty mimosa melodies.
Where his 2018 debut album Midnight Feast felt more like a collection of great songs with a wider variation of stylistic influence, on Brunch, Parsons’ composing shows more focus. 10 equally great songs that feel more cohesive and together as an album. Cohesive they may be, each song still manages to shine on its own as delectable indie guitar-pop.
Parsons has perfected a truly 'Kiwi' artform. Managing to blend a slightly nonsensical, deadpan humour while not shying away from weighty subject matter. A quick glance through the track list, an inattentive surface level listen and a browse through witty social feeds, one might mistake Parsons for a comic focused writer. Songs like Playstation and Porn may indicate silliness, but Parsons manages to take the "song written as a joke" and actually give it some thought and relevancy. A tale "of unconditional love", the song challenges it’s obvious absurdity with subtle beauty, a soaring chorus, and delicious harmonies. Playfulness is always round the corner too, the track 25 swings from a more mellow introspective mode into a bouncy breakdown before it’s close.
10 songs is my ideal length for an album. It’s much harder to let it get away on you and succumb to eventual filler material, of which you’ll find none of it here. The 10 songs on Brunch are beautifully crafted, polished with personality and classically original.
Jed Parsons may only be two albums into his journey as a solo artist, but he is already showing his craft as one of New Zealand’s most top notch songwriters. Brunch is just what it says is. Best among friends with just a classy amount of indulgence.
Standout tracks: All of them are just darn well good.
About Jed Parsons
Through his success in Mike Chunn’s national secondary school song writing competition in 2010 (Play It Strange), Parsons met with some of Christchurch’s most well renowned musicians (the roots of a creative collective now known as ‘Fledge’) including Ben Campbell (Zed, Atlas, All My Brothers), Moses Robbins (Atlas, All My Brothers) and Kurt Preston (Superfood), who went on to form a hard-hitting rock band with Parsons called House Of Mountain. Within 18 months of their formation, the group had played over 70 shows together, touring extensively around the South Island of New Zealand, and as far away as the Philippines.
The boys also play as the backing bands for both acts Happiness Stan and Hera – both extremely talented singer/songwriters from Christchurch and the Fledge crew, and both of whom Parsons has recently been collaborating with as an acoustic trio.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Jed Parsons
Releases
Other Reviews By HazzaMakingNoise
Keeltys - EP Review: Strange
29 Oct 2022 // by HazzaMakingNoise
For a place that is the epitome of Aotearoa’s blokey sport-heavy monoculture, Otautahi is having a remarkable renaissance of churning out quality bands and artists. Jazz-rock infused pop band Keelty’s have just added their name to the roll-call sheet with their debut EP Strange.
Read More...
Ema I'u - Single Review: Midnight Mistress
01 Sep 2022 // by HazzaMakingNoise
I’m going to speculate that most music scenes in cities around the world have someone like Ema I’u (AKA Ema Barton.) However I’d wager that all these other cities are in envy of our own Tamaki Makaurau and its “open mic queen”, whose remarkable talents are no secret to those who have traversed the various haunts around the city which generously let artists cut their teeth.
Read More...
Reuben Hudson - Single Review: Gasman
24 Jul 2022 // by HazzaMakingNoise
I’m not gonna muck around with the preamble here, instead a question… Has Reuben Hudson written the most catchy chorus of the year? I’d wager it.
Read More...
Oliver Birch - Single Review: Docile Healthier
21 May 2022 // by HazzaMakingNoise
There is a strange paradox in the independent, self-produced musician who laments the seemingly ever dangerous trajectory of technological society. Because that same trajectory enables them to find liberation in creating new soundscapes without any objection.
Read More...
SOJØURN - EP Review: Mystic Ways
17 Mar 2022 // by HazzaMakingNoise
Surf, Sun, Sojøurn. If it isn’t a catchphrase of a quintessential Kiwi summer, then it will be soon.
Read More...
Sean Bodley - Album Review: Past Present Future: Vol. 1
20 Feb 2022 // by HazzaMakingNoise
The electric guitar may have faded in its pre-eminence as the foundation of popular music, but New Zealand’s own Joe Satriani Sean Bodley won’t let that get in the way of producing the most delectable and technically mesmerising instrumental guitar music in Aotearoa. His first release since 2020’s full length album Neon Daydreams; Past Present Future: Vol.
Read More...
Bad Llamas - Single Review: Day Dreamer
27 Jan 2022 // by HazzaMakingNoise
As someone who suffers from chronic mind wandering during daylight hours, Day Dreamer, the latest track from Otautahi indie rockers Bad Llamas, happens to find a resonant audience.With an almost Oasis-like commitment to the core elements of rock ’n’ roll, Day Dreamer is a fascinating song of two halves that defies conventional song structure.
Read More...
Lady Bonestripper - EP Review: Awaken The Snake Hips
27 Dec 2021 // by HazzaMakingNoise
December it a strange time. Truly exasperating month.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- APT.
ROSÉ And Bruno Mars - DIE WITH A SMILE
Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars - BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Billie Eilish - TASTE
Sabrina Carpenter - I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
Gracie Abrams - ESPRESSO
Sabrina Carpenter - SAILOR SONG
Gigi Perez - LOSE CONTROL
Teddy Swims - A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
Shaboozey - GOOD LUCK, BABE!
Chappell Roan
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
