Pessimistic and miserable aren’t exactly the words that first come to mind when listening to Ev Bird’s shimmering Puff Piece. Over the 7 tracks that he recorded, produced, mixed and mastered all in his Montreal bedroom, Ev crafts a summery and bright sonic journey channeling equal parts jazz, pop, prog, math and hip hop - a smorgasbord of genres that Ev molds into a sound that feels equal parts instantly familiar while refreshingly new. Puff Piece sees Ev Bird reckoning with mortality, helplessness, melancholy, sorrow and futility, with a smile on his face and a wink in his eye.
On lead single, “The Ring”, which features a verse from Detroit hip hop legend Boldy James, Ev sings of the mental toll touring can take, playfully singing, “I was in that 2 Star hotel, I was stuck in my cell / Looking like that Tabitha girl from The Ring that was stuck way down in the well”, while tracks like “Fuel” explore the grind of daily life (“I’ve been working day in, day out / So why does my wallet feel so light? Feel so empty?”). With some playful wordplay and a cheery disposition, Ev masterfully breaks down the struggles and tribulations faced by young working class kids on Puff Piece, the perfect introduction to Ev’s sonic journey.
