SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: KEN PARK – KEN PARK

KEN PARK
KEN PARK
TODO

If you were lucky enough to catch Liam Creamer rocking the banjo and pedal steel on tour with Jake Minch’s band this fall, you might be surprised to hear the occasionally maximalist grunge sounds on his latest EP. Creamer’s solo project, Ken Park, has recently dropped their debut release, featuring six atmospheric indie-rock tracks. On this self titled release,  NYC-based artist beautifully combines influences from several decades, seasons, and coasts.

The EP opener, “Maybe Delete,” is instrumentally focused, with thrashing guitars and glitch noise. Creamer’s vocals peaks through the reverb wash with haunting delivery. The following “Shatter” carries the ‘90s energy of bands like The Smashing Pumpkins, which Creamer has cited as a major inspiration.

The interplay between shoegaze and folk elements gives this EP a compelling arc that never feels too far out there. There are strong melodies to latch onto even when the noise hits its ceiling. “Dragonfly” stays grounded in the bass end, while “Nosebleed” can be remembered for its sticky post-chorus riff.

Ken Park maintains aesthetic cohesion extremely well, gradually introducing moments of softness into the soundscape. “Crawl” is the most fascinating example, where acoustic buzz evokes the feeling of decomposing into a forest floor. The whole project has a tinge of darkness in its subject matter, but this song gives us the EP’s most emotional vocal performance.

The closing track is the original recording from six years prior when Creamer wrote “Sleep Paralysis” at only 17-years-old. The guitar’s high plucks are biting, yet delicate. The choice to keep this track in its rawest form reflects his desire to make this project a full circle endeavour, weaving adolescent anxieties into adulthood.

The self-titled EP shows that Ken Park can develop a tight collage of sounds, showcasing Creamer’s dynamic sensibilities as a musician. It is a ruminating, introspective experience that leaves you longing to hear more.

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