Songwriter E.G. Phillips has released his latest EP, Tricks of the Light, a set of six intricately crafted chamber folk tracks. Arranged and produced by two-time Grammy-winning Nahuel Bronzini (Fantastic Negrito) and Felipe Ubeda (Cigarbox Man), with Tricks of the Light, Phillips ventures into new sonic territory, presenting a collection that is as introspective as it is expansive. Coming from a country called the Midwest and in possession of a degree in Geography, Phillips often draws comparisons to the likes of Nick Cave, Leonard Cohen, and Tom Waits. He’s known for his lyric-driven songs imbued with his special blend of whimsy and immersive imagery.
While his previous releases have showcased Phillips’s jazz, folk, and progressive rock leanings, this release brings his modernist classical sensibilities into the mix.
Recorded with a chamber ensemble including Omree Gal-Oz (piano), Curtis Aikens (upright bass), and Chloe Mendola (cello), with additional contributions from Daniel Riera (flute) and Sarah Bonomo (clarinet), Tricks of the Light draws impulse from film soundtracks, mythology, and Phillips’ signature blend of wit and melancholy. The EP showcases Phillips’s capability to weave vivid narratives and examine universal themes through a personal lens.
“From the Corner of My Eye” flares the EP with a surreal tale inspired by William Blake’s The Tyger. Set against a haunting arboreal backdrop, the narrator glimpses a tiger that might be real or imagined—a “trick of the light” that abides as a metaphor for fleeting moments of tangible connection with nature, the unknown, and other beings we share our planet with. With its intricate chord progressions and tightly written lyrics, the track sets the tone for the EP’s expressionistic and contemplative journey.
“The Light You Reflect” juxtaposes mythical imagery and human vulnerability, reflecting on the universal experience of both the excitement and the vulnerability of being seen and understood, especially when we are most exposed. The track’s vibrant instrumental section underscores the palpable giddiness the narrator is filled with by the possibility of connection
that our senses offer us, as well as their empathy for someone who is feeling the negative effects this attention can bring.
“The Albatross Song (Mellow Like)” offers a new rendition of a fan favourite from Phillips’ second album, At Home at Sea. This subdued, chamber folk version channels the song’s origins as a reflective meditation, inspired by Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s The Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Phillips’ fascination with the mythos surrounding the albatross.
“The Flesh of Birds” alters a whimsical thought into a “romance in miniature, in reverse.” Influenced by literary and pop culture references, including Slaughterhouse-Five and Doctor Who, the song playfully examines the absurdities and mysteries of human connections.
The penultimate track, “The Place Where Tomorrow Shines the Brightest”, is an exploration of hope and the loss of hope. The concept of hope being associated with a place is partly due to Phillips’ background in geography. The song grasps the tension between longing and acceptance, culminating in a poignant reflection on time, love, and cosmic alignment.
The closing track, “When It Gets Dark”, delves into the para-social dynamics of modern life. Inspired by Phillips’ fascination with YouTube reaction videos, this Tin Pan Alley-style piece of cinéma vérité is a lens on the ways we connect with stories and each other in the digital age.
A Cinematic Partnership
The collaboration with Bronzini and guitarist Felipe Ubeda brings a theatrical soundtrack quality to Phillips’ music, drawing inspiration from soundtracks such as John Zorn’s The Rain Horse and scores by Jon Brion and Carter Burwell, as well as minimalist composers such as Philip Glass. Phillips explains, “My music is often described as ‘cinematic’ in nature, so it only seemed natural to have these songs scored as such.”
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