Patrick Gardiner – EP Review

Patrick Gardiner is 17 years old.

Patrick Gardiner has just recently released his debut EP.

To be perfectly honest, Patrick Gardiner is years ahead of himself. To make some seriously generalised statements: most seventeen year olds are more concerned with XBox than pursuing their dream, more concerned with hiding away in their rooms rather than playing to crowds of people. Yet Patrick has done both these things and doesn’t show any signs of stopping or slowing down.

Released on the 19th October 2012, Patrick’s debut EP ‘Save Myself’ has already been featured on American blog ‘To Write Love On Her Arms’. This five song EP takes us on an intimate and heartfelt journey that is sure to strike a chord with anyone who listens. For being only 17 years old, Patrick writes songs that are so genuine and charming that it’s hard not to get lost in this beautiful collection of songs.

According to his Facebook page, “Patrick Gardiner (aged 17) first picked up a guitar aged 10 on a family holiday. He first picked up his vocal chords aged 1 and a half, hollering along to his Dad’s Motown records”, his EP also states that it was “Written, Performed and Recorded with care”. It is touches like these that make Patrick Gardiner such an appealing artist; it is clear that Patrick loves what he does and takes great care and precision in the art that he creates. Because with Patrick, this isn’t just music, it’s art.

The first song on ‘Save Myself’ is the punchy ‘He Isn’t Right For You’, with catchy drums and a few vocal tricks alongside; this song is guaranteed to be stuck in your head for weeks. The haunting ‘Less Of You’ features a much more acoustic style, with just a strumming guitar and Patrick’s voice to guide it through, followed up with a subtle drum beat and evocative cello. ‘Sand Between Our Fingers’, the third song on the EP has an intro reminiscent of Tracy Chapman’s ‘Fast Car’, it’s in songs like this that Patrick’s influences such as Ben Howard and Damien Rice are clear to hear. The eponymous ‘Save Myself’ is graceful and elegant with sophisticated lyrics and yet again with that haunting cello in the background. The final song is ‘Sleep’, a sorrowful song which gets better with every listen. It’s hard to pick a favourite track from these five beautiful and memorable songs, but ‘Sleep’ might just be it.

There’s something oh so appealing about singer-songwriters who sing in their own accents, and Patrick’s Lisburn twang only makes this EP even more relatable and engaging.

Over all ‘Save Myself’ is a sophisticated and addictive acoustic EP with personality and charm, and I think this is just the start of a long and prosperous run for Patrick Gardiner and his band.

‘Save Myself’ is available to buy on BandCamp here. 
Patrick Gardiner is on Facebook here.