Album Review: Peter Peres, Before & After You

“I think it’s time I take your picture off the wall” croons Peter Peres in his latest EP Before & After You. Like the title suggests, the central themes of this album revolve around the highs and lows of new love and heartbreak. Overall, this EP serves as a dynamic collection of complimentary stylings that not only showcase Peres’ musical skills, but also different musings on the romantic motif.

Peres takes his listeners on a ride through his drastic shift of tones and shifts in intensity from track to track. What could have been a jarring switch was carried gracefully by Peres’ distinct pop-twang vocal quality which adds a consistent youthful energy to each of his tracks. While “Sold” and “Finally Got It Right” demonstrate Peres’ infectious energy, “Let You Go” is the strongest display of his profinity for anthem-building.

It wouldn’t be a country album without a few tears. While “Mess Of Me” paints a weary portrait of loss, the titular “Before & After You” is more specific in its imagery, grounding it in sincerity. While it may appear simplistic to reflect upon the taste of wine, it is the personal details that reveal a universal quality that allow the listener to have a sense of Peres’ worldview. Before & After You is an easy-listening blend of ballads and toe-tapping numbers, and forecasts a promising career ahead of its maker.

Before & After You was released June 3, 2022.
Listen to it here.