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 fantastically twisted characters collide below shimmering synths. From the irony of his “anti-romantic ballad” “Cry Me Rivers” to the glitter-fuelled power of his stay exhibits, Stan proves that pop will 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 alternatively, 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 in the end, it’s one thing that not less than a couple of 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 rigidity behind the track?
In fact! “Cry Me Rivers” was a track I initially wrote the melody & chords to with the intention of it changing into this type of melancholic love track. Nevertheless, when it got here to writing the lyrics, I selected to fully flip the story on its head and write from the angle of an extremely unfeeling, virtually psychopathic, individual. The narrator has evidently finished one thing to essentially damage or upset somebody near them, and when this individual confronts them, the narrator has this blasé angle about it. The track additionally takes a darker flip the place there’s an apparent shift in how the damage pal or accomplice begins to beg the narrator to remain. I discover it virtually humorous how the track sounds so dreamy however is absolutely about this twisted sequence of occasions.
You’ve acquired an enchanting background — a neuroscientist turned alt-pop artist! How has your examine of the mind influenced your songwriting and artistic course of?
It has undoubtedly influenced it loads 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 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 consequence 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 setting. 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 examine — 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 regular strategy to songwriting is that I like to decide on a unique and particular matter or story for each track. Due to this, they typically turn out to be these, as you say, ‘character research’ as I like to make use of songwriting as a option to develop a better understanding of the world and folks round me. This once more ties in with why I needed to review neuroscience, as I like to know 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 at all times relate on some degree to them. Whereas I wish 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 hear, the songs get caught in individuals’s heads, as a result of I LOVE a superb hook. I additionally hope that when individuals return to it, they will dissect the lyrics and have enjoyable with determining what story every track is attempting to inform. I additionally would love for individuals to mission their very own experiences & emotions onto this EP, as like I discussed earlier than, I really feel prefer it’s truly very straightforward 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 will join anybody to even probably the most villainous of individuals!
You’ve been praised to your “maximalist pop with another edge.” What does maximalist pop imply to you, and the way do you stability theatrics with authenticity?
Maximalist pop to me means huge, 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 huge pop anthems, which I’ve at all times discovered actually unusual. For this reason for years my strategy to songwriting has been to at all times write about one thing that isn’t typically 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 could 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 largest musical influences, and the way have they formed your sound?
I’ve truly solely comparatively not too long ago 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 character of the music I need to make. Nevertheless, after I was loads youthful, I used to be much more restricted in what I appreciated to take heed to. I typically observe my largest affect as Marina & The Diamonds, as Household Jewels first confirmed me how particular person and experimental ‘pop’ music will be. From there I began listening to a wider breadth of well-liked music that influenced my sound – comparable to 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 out of the blue there was this darker different sound dominating the charts. It geared up me with the mindset that despite the fact that 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, power, and emotion. What does performing stay imply to you as an artist?
I really feel like these descriptors are good! Performing stay is certainly one of the vital issues to me when it comes to my artistry. I’ve liked performing since I can bear in mind, like after I would blast Women Aloud throughout a household perform and power everybody to sit down and watch me dance to it. I feel I’ve actually not too long ago 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 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 do this by getting everybody dancing and becoming a member of in. It’s an incredible option 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 form of stated earlier, I feel these 2 issues can completely coexist. Why can’t an upbeat, enjoyable pop track cowl a darker matter? That being stated, I do wish to have my moments the place I gradual 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 vital for these deeper cuts to exist alongside my extra sarcastic up-tempo music, as exhibiting each side is vital to me and my music.
Do you will have any parting phrases for EQ Music Weblog readers?
Properly should 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 possibly can 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 part of my mailing record to not miss a factor! However for now, London – goers preserve 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 hear. 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.
