Päter showcases the range and versatility of their sound on the powerful and often intimate debut album 4-7 Company
On their brand new album 4-7 Company, Iran-born Toronto-raised artist Päter explores the solitary hours between 4 and 7 PM, the times when we’re left alone with nothing but our thoughts for company, making for some of the more stirring and intimate work of the artist’s career with the date. The album is packed full of highlights and thoughtful lessons about life, cycles, and self, making for a varied listening experience that explores a variety of moods and tones.
Following a stunning piano intro in the form of ‘Clock Strikes’, the album truly kicks off with the artist’s lauded single ‘Nicotine Hallelujah’, a bright and vibrant release that signals the death of the artist’s youth in the form of them trying their first cigarette at the age of 16. The fun and dynamic tone of the sound and style provides the perfect summation of the artist’s distinctive appeal, packed full of warmth and joy but with more troubling and dark underlying messages that give Päter a really multi-faceted and three dimensional appeal.
‘Something // Way’ follows, another 2023 single that is packed full of the artist’s charismatic charm and sense of creativity and fun, this time embodying a more riffy and garagey indie rock aesthetic while still holding onto the artist’s sense of catchy fun and charm. The artist’s infectious personality feels at its most swaggering and infectious on the track, and its heavier aesthetic sees the artist’s sonic world expanding in compelling fashion.
Things take a moody turn on ‘Fear of the Dead’, with the artist’s sound giving way to a more stripped-back and soft feel that is gorgeously accompanied by immersive little sonic quirks and effects that create a truly all-encompassing and engrossing feel on a track packed full of atmospheric tension and thoughtful writing from Päter that lingers with you far beyond your listen.
The expansive guitars and off-kilter appeal of ‘Waiting.’ kind of gave me Soundgarden vibes at times, creating an unsettling and distinctive feel not similar to how cult classic track ‘Black Hole Sun’ did in its verses, while ultimately giving way to far more melodic and soaring moments than its predecessor and continuing highlight the sheer ingenuity and genius of Päter and their sound.
Following the stunning ‘FOMO’ interlude that features more stunning piano playing and vocals from the artist, this blends seamlessly into ‘Moonshine’, one of the most tender and haunting moments on the album, one that is packed full of searching vocals, intricate soundscapes, and a flair for the theatrical and longing. The track reaches a richly rewarding and emphatic climax that is packed full of catharsis and charm, before gently settling back down to the delicate piece of art that it began as.
There is a shift that you can feel on the album at this point, with things having taken a turn from the artist’s carefree and dynamic brand of indie rock to something more personal and introspective, and this theme continues into next track ‘Every Waking Hour’, with the artist uncovering themes like fear and isolation as the track descends into dissonant chaos, growing in intensity and feeling more sinister and macabre with each passing moment.
There are more moments of intimacy and character-driven intensity on ‘I (Big This Room) and (Catching Cold), with both tracks armed with a captivating cinematic flair but very different in execution. While the former again goes for a slow-paced approach, simmering and spotlighting the artist’s intoxicating vocals and songwriting, expanding painstakingly slowly and with a real sense of venom and poise throughout, the later takes on a more full-blooded and fast-paced approach, creating a cinematic and brooding atmosphere through its nuanced instrumental and tone.
The penultimate track on the album comes in the form of its title track ‘4-7 Company’, a track that feels like a summation of the album so far, and one that reflects on the artist’s journey and where they have ended up as a result of it. Reflecting on the way that we often end up feeling ways that we don’t really expect, offering an intimate glimpse into the artist’s solitary moments and the thoughts that accompany them.
The album closes out with ‘The Withstanding Wonder’, a fittingly sombre and low-key end to an album that has embraced a wide range of emotions and styles as it has progressed and grown, drawing the adventure to a close with a moment of intimacy and calm. The track feels like a really great place to reflect on the album and the masterful way in which the artist expanded upon and shifted their style as it progressed, beginning with a cheeky and fun sound akin to her older work while subtly making a transition into the more heartfelt and introspective along the way. Päter does a great job of highlighting the nuances and cyclical nature of life throughout the album, and the subtle shifts in style and tone do a great job of mirroring this message.
