EP Two continues the return of Paul Draper, formerly the lead singer for Britpop outsiders, Mansun. As with EP One, the quality offerings continue, whetting the appetite for Draper’s upcoming full length, Spooky Action. Many years ago I saw Mansun open for The Seahorses in a fairly small club in Philadelphia. Truth be told, Mansun were so good that my friend and I left before The Seahorses took the stage (apologies to John Squire + company). I’d love to have the opportunity to see Paul Draper solo, perhaps in 2017. EP Two feels like a continuation of EP One – 3 unique songs along with an acoustic version of lead off track Friends Make The Worst Enemies. The proper version kicks off the EP in stunning fashion. Has a better song title existed or truer words been spoken? A mid tempo slice of melancholy, it wouldn’t sound out-of-place on a Mansun album. Vocally, it is superb – dare I say it, Paul’s voice seems to have grown in stature after all these years. Co-written w/ Catherine AD (The Anchoress) it features cutting lyrics with an air of despair. “Get people on your side / the effective use of lies is how to work”. Indeed. Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid is my favorite song of 2016 from Mr. Draper. An acoustic lament for the 1st 90 seconds with the refrain “wish I had told you” on repeat, it segues into some of the finest orchestration I’ve heard in ages for the last minute or so. It hits the emotional core. Regret, longing, sadness. Perfection. Don’t You Wait It Might Never Come is a classic rocker that could be an A side in its own right. Glam, Britpop, Mansun like. Might be the most Mansun like track of Paul’s solo career to date. The EP closes with an acoustic version of the lead off track. Stunning in delivery, it is a hell of a way to close an EP. The full length can’t get here soon enough.
You can follow Paul on The Social Network here. You can catch the latest news at his official website, pauldraperofficial.com. The EP is available now on all digital outlets w/ physical copies & special packages also available through the store section of Paul’s website.
Verdict: Winning Streak Continues
For Fans of: Mansun, Strangelove, Blur, The Twilight Sad, The Anchoress, The Cure
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMAb7hr21YU]