What first drew me to this EP was the cover art. This unique pastel cartoon scene immediately piques the viewer’s interest. Some of my favorite records or artists are those with the most otherworldly art spreads (King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, for example). However, I guess that makes me the type of person who judges a book by its cover. In my defense, my thought process hasn’t let me down yet.
“Umbrellas & Parasols” is the first EP release from earthware, a one-man project based in Portland, Oregon. Said man, Eli Wheeler, describes his music as “…indie pop that blends melancholic and introspective lyrics with soft and warm instrumentation…”. This isn’t Wheeler’s first crack at music, however, as he’s been a part of other groups and projects over the years.
The first single released from this EP, the title track, has been out since December of 2022, making this project span from late 2022 until April of 2025.
Here’s the track list for this EP:
- Umbrellas and Parasols
- See the Sunlight
- Juniper Hollow
- Lorelei
- Morning
The first track is littered with catchy melodies and unreal instrumentation that make this a super fun listen. It makes me want to spend a long day at the nearest patch of grass and read my favorite book under the shade of a large tree, taking the necessary breaks to dance around to this music with no care in the world. The chorus that name-drops the song name (and the name of the EP) wraps me in a warm embrace, like the beam of sunlight seen on the cover art.
The second and third tracks on this EP exude that same warm feeling from the synths and through every strum on the guitar. I rarely compare artists to other artists, but the third track, in particular, feels like it could be a Wallows song. They’re a huge favorite of mine, and the synth placement and other musical bits and bobs give me the exact dopamine hits that I get from Wallows. Don’t get it twisted, though; earthware has an entirely unique sound, but my brain associates specific instruments with certain groups, so I mean it as a massive compliment.
The fourth track feels a bit softer like we’ve turned it down a notch as far as vocals go, like more of a gentle sound. The backing vocals on this one add so much to the chorus lines, and I picture myself walking around a brightly lit city at night, exploring a new place with a sense of romance. I love the use of violins in this EP; they’re used in many different ways to create a few different atmospheres, and I enjoyed the plethora of worlds earthware was able to present to the listener.
The fifth and final track felt like a masterfully written love letter. I could feel the emotion in every second of the instrumentation and every word spoken. There’s something so gentle and loving about this EP as a whole; it’s genuinely gorgeous. All of the tracks are heart-warming and hopeful, lifting my mood for the rest of the day.
“Umbrellas & Parasols” is such a well-rounded project, and it’s available to stream on all platforms! Follow the artist on IG @earthware_music and show him some love as you absorb all that this EP has to offer.
Written by Newt Fangs
