Showcasing a consuming sound that melds poetic lyrical introspection with a sophisti-pop allure, Scenes from the Jazz Age is a stirring EP from Tim Watt, a singer-songwriter and musician from Hertfordshire, England, and now based in Paris, France. Also the co-founder of noted alt-rock groups Black Ballroom and The Vulgar Poets, Watt excels on this solo effort with a magnetic, emotively sincere sound — aesthetically reminiscent of The Blue Nile.
“City Shadows” opens the EP with an inviting atmosphere — conjuring sounds of a late-night bar as smoky saxophone, lounge-set piano, and solemn vocals traverse with seamless entrancement. “I caught your eyes in a sea of pearls,” an escalated vocal passion compels, then referencing shadows that “dance in the pouring rain,” — captivating in its mystique and sense of sophisti-pop yearning. Another stunner, “Remnants of Liberation” infuses steady acoustic strums and clanging piano. The main vocal refrain moves within these strums and a faint string-laden backing, culminating in a title-touting power with shades of Danny Wilson.
A moody delight, “Mind” lyrically points to feelings of home, memory, and the mind’s constant racing as brisk piano adornments linger underneath. A more elegant ballad consumes in “Je n’ai pas les mots pour dire,” led primarily by piano and voice — depicting a couple’s love, resilience, and shared history across both fond memories and turbulent times, now taking solace in the present moment. Filled with heartrending songwriting, Scenes from the Jazz Age is a stylish, compellingly emotive success from Tim Watt.
