“Originally hailing from the Thames estuary coastal town of Southend-on-sea but now residing in London, First Day Of Spring, a 5 piece outfit led by Samuel Jones’ songwriting, has bloomed. Previously in bands such as The Bellybuttons, Velvet Morning, Rocket Ship TV & Mr. Yolk, the band has always been involved in different musical projects. First Day Of Spring’s music has various themes, from storytelling to a focus on sound. Euphoric and exuberant or gentle and melancholic, First Day Of Spring’s main aim in their songwriting is to take the listener out of their own reality. Ultimately, First Day Of Spring wants you to feel something. Their influences range from such luminaries as Sparklehorse, Spiritualised, Modest Mouse, Silver Jews, Sonic Youth, The Clean, Cleaners From Venus, Cocteau Twins and many more.”
“I feel like I write a lot about my attempts/struggles to live in the moment and being present. A mindfulness kind of thing I suppose, in the sense of leaving things behind and not looking too far forward. This song has that going on in there somewhere. The video has a lot of looking back. I’m someone who clearly clings on to the past quite a bit. And this is what I mean by being present. No past or future, just the beauty of the now in a positive way. I wanted the song to have a real unashamed buoyancy to it and I think that has been achieved.
The EP as a whole has a lot of experimentation with different sounds and textures. This is a representation of the time I’ve spent working in the studio and how interested I am in taking songs and using up space to make for an experience where the listener can use themselves.
The Charles Baudelaire poem ‘Be Drunk’ in the introduction is spoken by friend and poet Lucia Dove joined by Micky Denny. The meaning behind this poem is to convey an aversion to the overwhelming influence of time on everyday life, which I thought was quite appropriate.”
Upon receiving a press release for a new EP, I was immediately struck by the poetry use in the single Moon Boy. The song’s lyrics and melody were so captivating that I found myself listening to it repeatedly, drawn in by its dreamy and ethereal qualities.
Curiosity piqued, I continued to explore the rest of the EP, which proved to be a magical, immersive journey through a hazy forest filled with the scent of pine needles and otherworldly sensations. The EP’s unique blend of shoegaze and atmospheric dream pop created an irresistible balance, resulting in a listening experience that was both juicy and soft, like a perfectly ripe summer peach.
Despite consisting of just four tracks, the EP was meticulously crafted and brimming with artistry. I highly recommend listening to it from beginning to end. Additionally, I encourage others to check out the singles released in July and November 2022, which are equally enchanting.
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