I knew I had to review this the second I heard young friend (Drew Tarves) open the EP with a classic A1234 count in. That’s not the only reason this project titled HOW DID WE GET HERE jumped out to me though because I find myself enraptured by Tarves’ storytelling. His self-reflective narrative wrapped up in his own post-adolescence experience is a coming of age movie brought to life, hell I wouldn’t be surprised if A24 were currently fighting to get his music in one of their movies. However what I admire most is his juxtaposing talent, taking sombre lyrics portraying his transition from adolescence to young adulthood and contrasting it with a vibrant, summer production that is reminiscent of sun rays dancing across your skin.
As you hit play you’re immediately met with a sense of relief as a sea of calm washes over your body, the stress of the world has been take away and you now reside in a place of solace where your worries, doubts and fears are all acknowledged. You don’t feel alone during this huge transition where the world you once knew seemingly begins to crumble around you. In-fact, I’d go as far to say that Tarves helps you readjust and rebuild the landscape around you to suit your new life whilst still making you feel at home. A stellar EP that will have you coming back to it time and time again.