In Earnest released their second EP ‘Reasons To Stay Alive’ back in early October, but their new and accompanying short film is nothing short of extraordinary.
Hailing from Southend on Sea, In Earnest are your unlikely young Essex-based band. Rather than channel their angst and dismay into the grungier side of the indie spectrum, they instead sit almost too pleasantly at the unassuming, folk-laced end. But by no means is this a criticism. Their sound emulates that of something crafted from an authentic log-cabin, nestled away on the lakeside of an unnamed remote Celtic Island. But no, this sound, so emotionally captivating and utterly stunning emerges from the same place that offered us Nothing But Thieves and early noughties heroes, Busted.
Reasons To Stay Alive sparks a sense of optimism, one which cannot be tarnished by the events of the last eighteen months. A beautifully depicted story highlighting the significance of personal mental wellbeing, the release wraps us up into a soothing musical cocoon to remind us that life, no matter how complex, will always turn out okay. Inspired heavily by Matt Haig’s book by the same title, the EP displays a sense of self-awareness like no other. “We wrote these songs to document our personal highs and lows over the past couple of years. The whole record is cyclical to reflect how most of us have felt stuck in an endless loop,” say the Southend trio.
With a narrative arc rivalling that written by any heavy-hearted novelist, the six-track record’s poignant lyrics are enough to bring a lump to your throat. “The thoughts he did invite that day, to crash the car all just to feel nothing, to feel something other than rage,” share the band on the EP’s second track, I Feel Alone Even If I’m Not. And this is just one example of their emotionally charged lyricism in action.
Following the blueprint from fellow indie-folk heroes gone before, they’ve carved a space for themselves that renders them completely and utterly compelling. A band with so much promise, In Earnest are using their personal experiences to effortlessly captivate audiences, and all whilst tackling some of the world’s most prevalent social subjects. Mental health, social isolation and the ever more important climate crisis speak volumes to receptive audiences and manage to do so effortlessly yet with lasting power.
Sweeping around to create one endless piece of work, this twenty-two-minute-long ensemble is now paired with an equally as stunning short film. Hazy, slow panning visuals of the band tie the story together effortlessly, inviting us into the beating heart of this six-come-one part saga. Stunning instrumentation, astute lyricism far wiser than their years would suggest, and now, the intimately peaceful visuals make Reasons To Stay Alive all the more impressive, regardless of whether it’s your first listen or your twentieth.
This short film only further enhances the beauty of this self-produced release. A captivating release that signifies a sign of the times.
*This article was first published on Loop Magazine in November of 2021*
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