We Say…
For a writer who’s a little obsessed with both Ezra Furman and Leonard Cohen, Ezra Cohen has a heck of a name to live up to, perhaps thankfully for his own sanity, his own music doesn’t try to sound much like either of the above. A native of New Hampshire, Ezra first made his musical reputation as the frontman of the melodic punk band Notches. For his own solo offerings, Ezra switches out the punkier elements for something altogether more twangy in his fuzzy take on country-licked slacker-pop. Following on from a pair of well-received EPs, Ezra recently teamed up with Relief Map Records and Dead Broke Rekerds for the release of his debut album, The Sweet Million.
Across The Sweet Million, Ezra Cohen showcases the versatility of his songwriting, take the album’s two central songs, Annabelle builds on a buzzing Sharon Van Etten-like organ before sliding effortlessly into the more Hold Steady-like, Just Like You, with its strutting bass and fuzzy guitars. Elsewhere, Talk Of The Town taps into a similar vein of gritty Americana to Good Looks’ excellent Bummer Year, while the closing track, Change Of Season’s Kiss has a frantic, thrashing quality, like Band Of Horses if they listened to a few more punk records. Particularly wonderful is the recent single, I Saw The Country, with its metronomic bass-drum, driving guitars and soaring slide guitars it’s perhaps the most straightforward country-rock song on the record, bringing to mind the likes of Justin Townes Earle or Conor Oberst’s most recent solo records. A record of subtle musical flourishes, genre-blending highlights and unfussily great songwriting, The Sweet Million is Ezra Cohen making the music he loves, and sounding all the more exciting for it.
They Say…
FTR: For those who don’t know who is Ezra Cohen?
I’m a musician who lives in Dover NH. I play solo and with my band The Big City Band.
FTR: What can you remember about your first show?
Just how exciting it was! We opened for some older local punk bands that I really loved. I was instantly addicted to playing for people. 13 years later and I’m still at it.
FTR: Why do you make music? Why not another art form?
Nothing makes me feel like playing music and writing songs does. I do some other forms of art, but nothing has ever spoken to me like music does.
FTR: What can people expect from the Ezra Cohen live show?
Depends on if I’m solo or with the band. Been trying to just put an emphasis on having fun lately. If we’re not having a good time, then I know something has to change.
FTR: What’s next for Ezra Cohen?
Some shows around New England with Pigeon Pit from Olympia WA and more new music.
They Listen To…
Small Pond – Kegger At My Funeral
Dog Lips – Mannequin Girl
Rick Rude – Buttercup
Happy Just To See You – My Best Friend
New Norde – Amy
The Sweet Million is out now via Relief Map Records / Dead Broke Rekerds. For more information on Ezra Cohen visit https://www.reliefmaprecords.com/ezracohen.
For The Rabbits 