We only came across Jed Parsons the week before last when he released his latest film clip Time. A tall, mostly blue and orange, mustachio’d man dancing around the city centre of Christchurch as the day broke – seven years since the earthquakes and he had no problem bringing nothing but love to those cracked streets.
Needless to say, it was a strong first impression. Since then he’s shown the world his debut album Midnight Feast, and Jed continues to impress.
Straddling heartfelt personal commentary alongside veritable indie rock bangers, Jed Parsons’ debut album Midnight Feast is a meal you’ll be glad you tucked into.
Parons’ more radio-savvy tunes such as Time, Get Lost, and Everybody’s Stupid will undoubtedly be the first dose for most fans, but the rest of the record is just as listenable. Tunes like album opener Real World and Reading Me Wrong are slower and more philosophical, yet just as magnetic.
It’s the two faces any good artist in Parsons’ space should have; the twin ability to rake in fans as well as bring out a heavy heart when you need to. Australian contemporaries Ball Park Music and Boy and Bear come to mind in this vein, which certainly bodes well for Parsons’ trajectory.
Parsons is a thinker; an observer of the world who packs his thoughts into concise lyrics like an Olympic archer hits a bullseye. Ruminations on love and personality decorate the album subtly but very efficiently; you’ll find phrases from Midnight Feast coming back to your mind as often as the hooks.
However an album is not the lyrics alone, and bombastic musical moments wriggle their way into almost every tune on the LP.
A wavering synth on Get Lost, the sky-high soul vocals on I Need Her and the organ crescendo on Real World all showcase Parsons’ character as well as his musings do – romantic with a goofy edge.
It’s poignant and powerful at once, a potent offering from the Kiwi artist. We’ll have our ear to those cracked streets of Christchurch for whatever he cooks up next.
On Tour
Fri 20 July – Neck of the Woods, Auckland
Sat 21 July – San Fran, Wellington
Fri 27 July – Blue Smoke, Christchurch
Sat 28 July – The Cook, Dunedin
