EP Review | Owen Denvir Is Assured & Assertive On Stones
Belfast singer-songwriter Owen Denvir is on the rise. Stones, the second in a trilogy of EPs that will make up his debut album, further showcases his musical strengths.
Opening the EP is a capella indie-pop ballad, ‘This Could Be Love’, immediately capturing the listener’s attention and building anticipation. For the production, Denvir uses vocals, audio glitches, vocoder, and household objects from lockdown in his home studio.
Following this, ‘I Want You So Bad’ is a groovy, smooth addition to the EP. Denvir’s voice is the song’s centre, blending beautifully among the instrumentation. Next up, ‘Stones From Paris’ has an infectious rhythm, with soulful vocals and wholesome melodies echoing the storytelling.
Concluding the EP, ‘Like Nobody Can See’ showcases something rawer. It’s a timid song, a classic piano ballad adding something different. Compared to the rest of the tracks, Denvir’s vocals really bloom on this tune. There’s a sense of tension building throughout, making for an interesting closing number.
Denvir is trained as an orchestral viola player which has benefited his lyrical and musical tastes, contributing to an interesting, alternative sound on Stones. There’s an emotional complexity here, and honest, beautiful songwriting throughout the entire EP. Denvir held nothing back when producing these tracks and, with his mix of musical influences, it’s an endearing listen from beginning to end.
As a musician and artist, Denvir is truly talented. Each track displays his wonderful vocals along with his fascinating song-craft, creating a breathtakingly beautiful body of work overall. Although this is only one part of a three-part collection, Stones could truly stand alone as its own piece of work.
On the idea behind the album, Denvir says:
“The album and EP trilogy idea is based on Sigmund Freud’s theory that personality is a sum of 3 parts: the Id (acting on raw impulse), the Ego (being terrified of consequences) and the Superego (the balance between the two).”
Owen Denvir has been hugely successful to date, bagging over 100,000 streams on Spotify and over 2 million music video shares, while also supporting Dodie on tour. Sticks, Stones, and Bones, a trilogy of EPs with different themes and stories, will become his debut full-length album.
Stones finds Owen Denvir in a self-assured mood. He’s more assertive when it comes to love, almost finding a healthy balance within the situation. It’s safe to say this won’t be the last you hear of him—he’s going from strength to strength.
