grentperez Looks to His Past For the Storied 'When We Were Younger'
Rising star grentperez once again proves his endless versatility as an artist with the release of his highly-anticipated EP When We Were Younger. Created as a means to get out of a songwriting rut, the record is a seven-song collection centered around nostalgia and motivated by a desire to stave off cynicism and embrace the carefree creativity of childhood. In the Filipino-Australian artist's own words, "When We Were Younger is a collection of music, each relating to figures of the past, whether it be in love, loss, families, and friendship."
The EP opens with an epic instrumental fueled by Spanish guitar riffs and percussion building in grandiosity, with vocal harmonies layering the background. The intro abruptly ends and leads listeners into the record's first and title track, "When We Were Younger." With subdued elements of the intro and brass sections propping up grentperez's smooth, rich vocals, he reminisces over his youth, a simpler time when "Our dreams were unexplored / We just needеd each other / Couldn't evеr ask for more / Oh, nobody had flaws / And nothing had a cause."
When We Were Younger's focus track, "Stuck On You," repeatedly exhibits the artist's versatility, presenting a strumming shuffler that rides sparkling keys and a spotless falsetto to tell a story of memories that won't shake. Recalling old memories, grentperez explains, "I wrote this song the first time I had been away from my friends at home for more than a month. I felt like I left just as things were getting good, so this song was a recollection of fond memories and a call to make new ones and wanted to speak about making up for the time we'd lost since I'd been gone."
"Old With You" is a true love song, pairing sweet and intimate lyrics with a sparkling blend of DIY-pop, R&B, soul, and jazz. "Old With You is a song of love and experience between lovers, friends, or even family, to live a life that retains its youthful days even after the test of time," grentperez explains. "'If I ever grow old' is a funny line to me, as growing up is inevitable, but it conveys the message of always having that youthful mentality. Either way, if you were to ever grow old, at least you've got someone by your side."
"Us Without Me" indulges in a sweetly nostalgic feel alongside soft, soulful guitars and haunting, ethereal vocals. The drama-rich ballad is the most mature composition on the EP, layering savory chord changes and shivering strings over gutting lyrics like, "You're in someone else's room while mine still smells like your perfume" and little reminders of lost love that hit like daggers. Listeners are then transported to the heartbreakingly romantic, spacey world of "Silver Lining," which sees him ache for a love lost but seeing the "silver lining" in the fact that at one point, "I once held you close / Held you close to me."
"When The Day Is Done" is a bright and beautiful ending to a record full of emotionally and sonically lively music. A spirited sun-soaked seduction, the track celebrates love, home, and family through catchy and cathartic dance-inducing revelry. A gentle, bouncing rhythm section and glistening guitars bring a kinetic funk-soul element to the fold as he sings a soaring melody. Bursting with intoxicating, irresistible smile-inducing lyrics like "Sitting round the table reminiscing / About the same old stories that we have," and "Yeah it took a while for me to see / What I had right in front of me / Was love, and I'm living in it," painting pictures of sunny days and cozy nights with the people you love.
When We Were Younger sees the Sydney-based 21-year-old expertly convey the transient dwelling of his youth's sublime ease and innocence, embracing a happy nostalgia as he conjures up moments of connection, joy, support, and serenity, both past and present. Along with the release of his new EP, grentperez announced his first-ever live performance in Asia. He is set to perform in Manila on June 16 at Eastwood Central Plaza. The show is free for fans to attend on a first-come-first-served basis.
Listen to When We Were Younger below:
