EP Review: TopHouse – Practice

Nashville indie-folk outfit, TopHouse, is participating in some irony as they gear up to release their EP Practice on Valentine’s Day. I say that because one could assume that a February 14th release could be met with a collection of love songs – but Practice journeys down a different path.

The six song EP begins with what is ultimately my favorite track, “Meteor.” A swelling of strings leads us into lead singer Joe Larson’s soft and fluttery vocals detailing a classic tale of heartbreak. “Meteor” showcases TopHouse’s Celtic folk roots with its heavy downstrokes on the acoustic, string backdrops, and strategic harmonies. And while all of that stays at the center of these songs throughout the EP, I think the most telling part of Practice can be found within the dynamic shifts and harder edges of “Meteor.” There are some deep, old school western-influenced electric guitar that pops up out of nowhere during this song and it’s a very interesting contrast to the rest of the track.

I believe that contrast is the overall theme of Practice along with the overall contemplative storytelling within the lyrics. Songs like “I Don’t Wanna Move On” and “Better Than This” will take the listener on a ride, going from slow moments that feel innocent and retrospective to fast-paced instrumental breaks that make you want to push through the challenges of the stories being told. With this in mind, I often found myself thinking of all the best parts of Mumford & Sons throughout my listens of Practice.

If I had to offer some criticism to Practice, it would be around a song called “Run” – and it’s not because I didn’t like the song. Sitting at track four on the EP, “Run” tells the story of Cynthia Ann Parker and as a standalone it’s a great track. However, the production on this one just feels a bit out of place compared to the rest of the EP. And ultimately, I suppose that fits the dynamic themes I mentioned above. This track is very reminiscent of Gary Clark Jr. and the only thing that really does stand out is the distortion on the vocals. When listening all the way through Practice, it gives a bit of a jarring experience.

As a collection, though, Practice is a solid six song EP for a band that is gaining traction and spreading roots in Nashville. With a whole mess of shows throughout the year (in the US and overseas), Practice will be a positive addition to their upcoming set lists.

 Practice releases everywhere on February 14th. Listen to the latest single, “Waste,” here: