A five song long EP that actually extends to a whopping nineteen in length, Nick Catoire’s ‘Stranger’ is a work that’s been a year long in the making. Filled with commentary for each of the initial five, live versions for each, and three remixes, Catorie has really poured his heart and soul onto this record. Unsurprisingly, the record stems from a deeply emotive place for Catoire himself. It tells the story of losing his first love, with each song forming part of the story. The luscious commercial pop record is loaded with infectious hooks and booming production that makes each track a bop in and of itself. But, contained within, the thematic elements of ‘Stranger’ have you looking inwards to an artists vulnerabilities, past, and pains with a lens that’s painfully revealing.
Kick starting the record with ‘ No Promises’, Catoire tells the story of his first relationship’s beginning. Growing up as the only queer person in his neighbourhood meant that Catoire was always cautious about love. He recalls being afraid, hesitant to open up to his lover. But slowly, that trust was built and the resulting relationship felt like all the stars had aligned. It’s a groovy piece of loving pop that’s got a hook that has you humming along throughout. It’s follow up, ‘See You Again’ paints a very different picture. Here, Catoire describes the erosion of the relationship, when the love seems to fade away but you’re hanging on to a sliver of hope that’s all a façade.
But it’s on the titular track, and also the album’s closer, that the EP comes full circle in the most cathartic of ways. Stranger is all about acceptance, it’s also where Catoire finds himself today. There’s a hopefulness to this song, a real belief that there’s something out there. There’s better days out there, there’s someone to look forward to. An emotive an addictive piece of pop for all.