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 underneath shimmering synths. From the irony of his “anti-romantic ballad” “Cry Me Rivers” to the glitter-fuelled power of his dwell exhibits, Stan proves that pop may be as sensible 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 then again, 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 pleased with, so I simply hope finally, it’s one thing that at the least 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 in regards to the irony and emotional rigidity behind the tune?
In fact! “Cry Me Rivers” was a tune I initially wrote the melody & chords to with the intention of it turning into this type of melancholic love tune. 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, nearly psychopathic, particular person. The narrator has evidently performed one thing to essentially harm or upset somebody near them, and when this particular person confronts them, the narrator has this blasé perspective about it. The tune additionally takes a darker flip the place there’s an apparent shift in how the harm pal or accomplice begins to beg the narrator to remain. I discover it nearly humorous how the tune sounds so dreamy however is admittedly about this twisted sequence of occasions.
You’ve received an enchanting background — a neuroscientist turned alt-pop artist! How has your research of the mind influenced your songwriting and artistic course of?
It has undoubtedly influenced it so much as I used to be creating my songwriting fashion alongside learning at college. I wrote “Cry Me Rivers” throughout my closing yr exams – songwriting was an excellent 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. For this reason I so typically write about psychopaths or narcissists, and the way in a different way they reply to others and their atmosphere. I’ve all the time 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 elements of your self in them?
My common strategy to songwriting is that I like to decide on a unique and particular matter or story for each tune. Due to this, they typically change into these, as you say, ‘character research’ as I like to make use of songwriting as a technique to develop a better understanding of the world and folks round me. This once more ties in with why I needed to check neuroscience, as I like to grasp how personalities, emotions, behaviours, and relationships can differ a lot between people. What I’ve discovered by means of writing about these totally different cases is how I can all the time relate on some stage to them. Whereas I wish to suppose 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 very good hook. I additionally hope that when individuals return to it, they’ll dissect the lyrics and have enjoyable with determining what story every tune is making an attempt to inform. I additionally would love for individuals to challenge their very own experiences & emotions onto this EP, as like I discussed earlier than, I really feel prefer it’s truly very simple to seek out elements 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 to 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 typically made out that nice narratives can’t exist in these large pop anthems, which I’ve all the time discovered actually unusual. For this reason for years my strategy to songwriting has been to all the time write about one thing that isn’t typically addressed in pop music. It’s truly very simple and easy to do – simply write an excellent story and pair it with an excellent 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 wish to make. Nevertheless, once I was so much youthful, I used to be much more restricted in what I preferred to take heed to. I typically notice my greatest affect as Marina & The Diamonds, as Household Jewels first confirmed me how particular person and experimental ‘pop’ music may be. From there I began listening to a wider breadth of fashionable music that influenced my sound – reminiscent of Kavinsky, Declan Mckenna, Daft Punk, Bee Gees, Imogen Heap, St Vincent and many others. I additionally bear in mind when Billie Eilish blew up in 2019 and the way a lot hope it gave me, as abruptly there was this darker different sound dominating the charts. It geared up me with the mindset that regardless that I make pop music, I ought to be at liberty to problem & push myself inside it.
Your dwell performances — from Brighton’s Various Escape to headlining The Troubadour — appear to be stuffed with glitter, power, and emotion. What does performing dwell imply to you as an artist?
I really feel like these descriptors are excellent! Performing dwell is unquestionably one of the necessary issues to me by way of my artistry. I’ve liked performing since I can bear in mind, like once I would blast Women Aloud throughout a household operate and pressure everybody to sit down and watch me dance to it. I feel I’ve actually lately began to reconnect with the boldness 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 primarily the identical factor, however to my very own songs that I wrote myself is simply psychological. I additionally suppose it’s so enjoyable to make somebody’s night time, and I all the time aspire to do this by getting everybody dancing and becoming a member of in. It’s a tremendous technique to join with one another.
You describe your music as “enjoyable and campy,” but in addition stuffed with depth. How do you navigate that duality in your artwork and persona?
Like I type of mentioned earlier, I feel these 2 issues can totally coexist. Why can’t an upbeat, enjoyable pop tune cowl a darker matter? That being mentioned, I do wish to have my moments the place I sluggish issues down and get just a little extra trustworthy 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 exhibiting either side is necessary to me and my music.
Do you’ve got any parting phrases for EQ Music Weblog readers?
Properly when 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 arising alongside it, so be sure you observe 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 ☺
Along 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 — observe Stan at @stanthepratt and prepare for the discharge of Introspectator on November thirteenth.