Glasgow-based songwriter Stewart Traquair (performing under the moniker Traquair) has had quite the career in the music industry already, so after interviewing him, I was quite excited to check his latest EP out, titled Held the Pulse. The record contains five tracks that combine an organic psychedelic-folk sound, with the lyrics covering topics such as resilience and the human spirit. Let’s dive into Held the Pulse and see what I thought of the EP!
By Jane Howkins
Girl, Your Mind is a Dangerous Game kicks the record off in style, showing much of what is to come within the rest of the songs on Held the Pulse. It features a bright, jangling 12-string guitar riff, setting an instantly inviting tone to the EP. Despite the slightly scary title of the track, it actually feels strikingly positive at times, using a driving rhythm to truly push the track forward. What if whats to Come is the only Attraction is up next, in which Traquair uses his perfect vocal delivery to anchor the track with a effortless, yet soulful ease. It’s quite a short tune, clocking in at under three minutes in total, but the concise cut ensures the song leans more into melodic momentum, opening the EP’s emotional core up even further.
The centerpiece and standout track of the record is (of course) the title track, Held the Pulse. It’s much more stripped-down than the other songs here, using a lovely fingerpicked acoustic guitar style that blends well with the gospel-tinged harmonies to create an extremely atmospheric and inviting feel. The vocal layering is rich here too, using the lyrics to acknowledge the concept of human imperfection without being cynical.
In Broad Daylight might just be my favourite song on Held the Pulse – it’s also one of the catchiest tunes here. It has a much more direct style than some of the other tracks on offer here, allowing the songwriting to breathe properly. The acoustic guitar follows the rhythm well, occasionally breaking off into a 60s style melody, adding a slow-burning intensity to the piece. The EP closes on a quietly hopeful note with final track A Great Time to be Alive. The song is anchored somewhat by a mournful yet gorgeous guitar and organ arrangement, which is then juxtaposed against optimistic lyricism, expanding gradually into a lush sonic backdrop. It’s the perfect track to resolve the EP on, rounding everything out nicely overall.
As can be seen from this review, Held the Pulse is a cohesive and interesting EP that highlights Stewart Traquair’s mature songwriting style and and mastery of analogue textures. The various genres included combined with the personal storytelling in the lyrics really make this one EP to be reckoned with.
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