Jeremy Parsons has always been a songwriter who values truth over trend, and on his new EP Life, that instinct serves him well. This five-song collection feels less like a release designed to chase attention and more like a personal reckoning set to melody—a quiet but confident statement from an artist who understands that the most lasting songs often arrive without fanfare.
Written during the pandemic, Life reflects a period when Parsons, like so many others, found himself stripped of routine and forced inward. Shows were canceled, the news cycle grew darker by the day, and time suddenly felt heavier. Rather than fight that stillness, Parsons leaned into it, using songwriting as a way to process uncertainty, memory, and purpose. The result is a compact EP that feels cohesive, thoughtful, and emotionally grounded.
The opening track, “Tickin’,” establishes the record’s central theme: time. Parsons doesn’t approach the subject with melodrama or regret, but with clear-eyed acceptance. The image of a clock on the wall is familiar, yet the lyric “It’s not wasted if you choose to learn” reframes the passage of time as opportunity rather than loss. It’s the kind of line that reflects maturity—hard-earned and quietly offered.
“The Garden” is one of the EP’s most evocative moments. Drawing from his upbringing as the son of a horticulturist, Parsons uses growth and cultivation as metaphors for emotional and spiritual health. The song’s gentle pace and conversational tone allow its message to unfold naturally. When he sings, “I see from where I am that your garden is thriving / And I hope that means you are too,” it feels less like a lyric and more like a sincere expression of care. Parsons’ ability to turn everyday imagery into something meaningful has long been one of his strengths, and here it’s fully realized.
The emotional centerpiece is “Who Was I,” a reflective look at Parsons’ younger self. At 25, he was drifting, chasing highs, and searching for identity while his parents followed a more traditional path. Rather than romanticize that period, Parsons examines it with honesty and restraint. “Sometimes I wonder who’s chasing who, me or the dream,” he admits, capturing a tension familiar to anyone who has pursued a calling without a clear roadmap. It’s a song rooted in self-awareness rather than self-judgment.
With “Humanity,” Parsons widens his lens to address the fractured social climate of recent years. The song critiques judgment and division without preaching, offering instead a lament for empathy lost. His tone remains measured, suggesting reflection rather than outrage—a choice that gives the song its quiet authority.
The EP closes with “Life Worth Dyin’ For,” a fitting summation of the project’s intent. It’s a song about gratitude—for love, laughter, mistakes, and resilience. Parsons doesn’t claim perfection, only presence. The refrain feels earned, not idealized, and leaves the listener with a sense of calm resolution.
Life is not a grand reinvention for Jeremy Parsons. It’s something better: a clear, honest snapshot of an artist taking stock of where he’s been and why it matters. In five carefully crafted songs, Parsons reminds us that sometimes the most meaningful music simply tells the truth and lets it resonate.
–Chester Phillips