On this EQ Music interview with Stan Pratt, we dive deep into the world of the London-based alt-pop provocateur, whose upcoming debut EP Introspectator blurs the road between mind and irresistible pop. A former neuroscientist turned maximalist music maker, Stan crafts songs that stability tongue-in-cheek storytelling with emotional depth, the place narcissists, dopamine chasers, and superbly twisted characters collide below shimmering synths. From the irony of his “anti-romantic ballad” “Cry Me Rivers” to the glitter-fuelled vitality of his stay reveals, Stan proves that pop could be as good as it’s spectacular.
Stan, congratulations in your upcoming debut EP Introspectator! How does it really feel to lastly be releasing this assortment of songs into the world?
Thanks a lot! On one hand, I’ve been so excited and antsy to get these songs out as I’ve had them saved away for 1-2 years, however however, now that the date is quick approaching, I’m feeling fairly nervous about it. It’s my first physique of labor I’m placing out into the world as a solo artist, and one which I’m so happy with, so I simply hope finally, it’s one thing that no less than just a few individuals love & join with.
Your new single “Cry Me Rivers” is described as an “anti-romantic ballad.” Are you able to inform us extra concerning the irony and emotional pressure behind the music?
After all! “Cry Me Rivers” was a music I initially wrote the melody & chords to with the intention of it changing into this sort of melancholic love music. Nevertheless, when it got here to writing the lyrics, I selected to fully flip the story on its head and write from the attitude of an extremely unfeeling, virtually psychopathic, particular person. The narrator has evidently performed one thing to essentially damage or upset somebody near them, and when this particular person confronts them, the narrator has this blasé angle about it. The music additionally takes a darker flip the place there’s an apparent shift in how the damage pal or associate begins to beg the narrator to remain. I discover it virtually humorous how the music sounds so dreamy however is basically about this twisted sequence of occasions.
You’ve obtained an enchanting background — a neuroscientist turned alt-pop artist! How has your research of the mind influenced your songwriting and inventive course of?
It has positively influenced it quite a bit as I used to be creating my songwriting model alongside learning at college. I wrote “Cry Me Rivers” throughout my last 12 months exams – songwriting was an ideal type of procrastination! Whereas the course was clearly much more scientific & mathematical, it did additionally open my thoughts as much as how in a different way individuals expertise the world and one another as a result of their mind chemistries. That is why I so usually write about psychopaths or narcissists, and the way in a different way they reply to others and their atmosphere. I’ve at all times been so fascinated by human behaviour & notion, so neuroscience simply helped me perceive that extra, and consequently influenced what I wrote about.
Every of your songs appears like a narrative or character research — from the narcissist in “Je Ne Sais Quoi” to the “dopamine monster” in “Dopamine Beast.” How do you provide you with these personas, and do you see components of your self in them?
My typical strategy to songwriting is that I like to decide on a unique and particular subject or story for each music. Due to this, they usually develop into these, as you say, ‘character research’ as I like to make use of songwriting as a method to develop a better understanding of the world and folks round me. This once more ties in with why I wished to review neuroscience, as I like to grasp how personalities, emotions, behaviours, and relationships can differ a lot between people. What I’ve discovered via writing about these totally different situations is how I can at all times relate on some degree to them. Whereas I prefer to assume I’m removed from a dishonest narcissist, I feel writing these songs has helped me realise how a lot everybody can relate to tales which can be so removed from their very own experiences.
Introspectator has been described as “the place mind and irresistible alt-pop collide.” What do you hope listeners will take away from this EP?
As with all my music, I hope that after the primary pay attention, the songs get caught in individuals’s heads, as a result of I LOVE a great hook. I additionally hope that when individuals return to it, they’ll dissect the lyrics and have enjoyable with determining what story every music is making an attempt to inform. I additionally would love for individuals to venture their very own experiences & emotions onto this EP, as like I discussed earlier than, I really feel prefer it’s truly very straightforward to search out components of you in another person’s story or perspective. That’s what I really like about these songs, as I really feel like they’ll join anybody to even probably the most villainous of individuals!
You’ve been praised on your “maximalist pop with an alternate edge.” What does maximalist pop imply to you, and the way do you stability theatrics with authenticity?
Maximalist pop to me means large, unapologetic manufacturing paired with catchy melodies that play on loop in your head for days after listening. I really feel prefer it’s so usually made out that nice narratives can’t exist in these large pop anthems, which I’ve at all times discovered actually unusual. That is why for years my strategy to songwriting has been to at all times write about one thing that isn’t usually addressed in pop music. It’s truly very straightforward and easy to do – simply write an ideal story and pair it with an ideal hook. I feel it’s one thing that extra pop stars are beginning to do now, which may be very encouraging to see.
You’ve talked about your love for 80s icons like Cocteau Twins, Kate Bush, and New Order. Who’re a few of your greatest musical influences, and the way have they formed your sound?
I’ve truly solely comparatively lately fallen into the grandiose, camp, unapologetic time that was 80s. As my sound began to develop, I began to take heed to much more music from this period, as I really feel prefer it actually displays the persona of the music I need to make. Nevertheless, after I was quite a bit youthful, I used to be much more restricted in what I appreciated to take heed to. I usually word my greatest affect as Marina & The Diamonds, as Household Jewels first confirmed me how particular person and experimental ‘pop’ music could be. From there I began listening to a wider breadth of well-liked music that influenced my sound – corresponding to Kavinsky, Declan Mckenna, Daft Punk, Bee Gees, Imogen Heap, St Vincent and many others. I additionally keep in mind when Billie Eilish blew up in 2019 and the way a lot hope it gave me, as instantly there was this darker various sound dominating the charts. It outfitted me with the mindset that although I make pop music, I ought to be at liberty to problem & push myself inside it.
Your stay performances — from Brighton’s Various Escape to headlining The Troubadour — appear to be filled with glitter, vitality, and emotion. What does performing stay imply to you as an artist?
I really feel like these descriptors are excellent! Performing stay is certainly one of the necessary issues to me by way of my artistry. I’ve liked performing since I can keep in mind, like after I would blast Women Aloud throughout a household operate and power everybody to sit down and watch me dance to it. I feel I’ve actually lately began to reconnect with the arrogance and enjoyable that a lot youthful model of me had. So, the truth that I now get to have a bigger group of individuals watch me do basically the identical factor, however to my very own songs that I wrote myself is simply psychological. I additionally assume it’s so enjoyable to make somebody’s night time, and I at all times aspire to try this by getting everybody dancing and becoming a member of in. It’s an incredible method to join with one another.
You describe your music as “enjoyable and campy,” but in addition filled with depth. How do you navigate that duality in your artwork and persona?
Like I sort of mentioned earlier, I feel these 2 issues can completely coexist. Why can’t an upbeat, enjoyable pop music cowl a darker subject? That being mentioned, I do prefer to have my moments the place I sluggish issues down and get somewhat extra sincere or weak. These are a few of my favorite songs that I haven’t but shared with the world. Nevertheless, for me it’s necessary for these deeper cuts to exist alongside my extra sarcastic up-tempo music, as displaying either side is necessary to me and my music.
Do you have got any parting phrases for EQ Music Weblog readers?
Nicely in case you’ve made it this far, thanks a lot for sticking round and caring about what I’ve to say haha! If you wish to hear extra, you may presave my EP Introspectator which comes out on 13th November. I even have some very thrilling bulletins developing alongside it, so be sure you comply with me on Insta or be a part of my mailing checklist to not miss a factor! However for now, London – goers maintain 29th November pencilled in your diary… Thanks a lot guys for having me! It’s been a blast ☺
Together with his distinctive mixture of brains, boldness, and unapologetic aptitude, Stan Pratt is redefining what it means to be an alt-pop artist in 2025. Introspectator is greater than a debut — it’s an invite right into a world of dazzling camp, sharp wit, and emotional honesty, wrapped in hooks that stick with you lengthy after the primary pay attention. Don’t miss out on this rising star’s journey — comply with Stan at @stanthepratt and prepare for the discharge of Introspectator on November thirteenth.
