EP Review: Picture Parlour - 'Face In the Picture'
Four-piece indie rock band Picture Parlour are taking the music industry by storm – and with their new EP release ‘Face In the Picture’, they don’t show any signs of slowing down.
Despite the band only coming to life last year, they’ve progressed leaps and bounds over the short period. Picture Parlour have found themselves in support slots for legendary artists such as Bruce Springsteen and huge upcoming bands such as The Last Dinner Party. Alongside these opportunities, their debut singles Norwegian Wood and Judgement Day earned them a hefty fan base, and with their new EP release of Face In the Picture, it’s only growing.
Face In the Picture is a short and sweet, sentimental four track feature that gives a nod towards Picture Parlour’s initial roots. Since being thrown into the deep end almost immediately with gaining popularity, the band felt as though it was needed to honour the beginnings of what the group now is. Speaking on the subject, lead singer Katherine Parlour says: ‘It didn’t feel right to leave them out of the Picture Parlour history books. The EP is a capsule of who we were when we met and what jamming together in those early days ignited.’
The EP begins on an eery note with the unsettling shakiness of violins and piano, before we are thrown head-first into both the beautiful and unexpectedly expansive world of Picture Parlour. The use of strings and electric guitar creates a unique contrast of heavy and soft, yet all amounting to a perfectly dramatic blend of sound.
Previously, Katherine Parlour has dipped her toes into film making – and with the combination of the band’s passion for creating an immersive, cinematic world within their music, it’s no surprise that the first track on the EP does just this.
Next up is a song called Dial Up. The drums and guitar chord striking appears much angrier compared to the previous track, Face In the Picture. This creates a quick, pacey feel, and with the powerful guitar solo (played by guitarist Ella Risi) featured in the just-over-halfway mark, their retro and classic rock influences shine through.
The third track, Ronnie, really showcases the broad spectrum of Katherine Parlour’s voice, somewhat reminiscent of Alex Turner’s vocals during his ‘The Last Shadow Puppets’ era. The powerful vocals and complimentary composure of strings, bass, electric guitar and drums consistently opens us up to a new level of magnitude, each twist and turn just as good as the last.
Slowing down for the last song of the EP, whilst not losing an ounce of power and emotion, is Moon Tonic. Face In the Picture and Moon Tonic sandwich the middle two tracks in a gloriously string-heavy cinematic veil, making the EP a well thought out and solid piece of work from Picture Parlour. Moon Tonic features the heavy beating of drums, the kind that you can feel in your chest at a live show. The overwhelming combination of instruments paired with the impressive belting of lyrics such as ‘Well-rested from another sleepless night/ Moon tonic/ I like all the other things you like’ gives a dramatic and screen-worthy ending to the EP.
Picture Parlour will celebrate their new release with their intimate EP release party at London’s Third Man Records on June 18th and are embarking on a headline tour across UK and Europe starting later this month on June 27th. They are also taking place in supporting slots for the likes of CMAT, SPRINTS, and Liz Lawrence.
Words by Cameron Cookson
