'Reasons To Stay Alive', The New EP From IN EARNEST Is Out Today

By Robin Mumford

In Earnest today released their second EP ‘Reasons To Stay Alive’, a 6-track record with transitions between each song. The Southend-on-Sea outfit is fuelled by the songwriting of front-couple Sarah Holburn and Tom Eatherton and joined by instrumentalist Toby Shaer.

Facing the testing topics of despair, gratitude, suicidal thoughts and the climate crisis, this new EP poses as more than just a collection of songs. The six tracks flow seamlessly into one another to create a 22-minute composition that loops back around into an infinite piece of art.

Diving deeper and even more unflinchingly into their thematic content, In Earnest showcases a unique blend of indie, folk and post-rock with progressive tendencies. These genres are entwined together perfectly in their second EP, and their project is effortlessly tugged alone by the harmonious vocals that are certain to entice you.

The switch between the two vocalists Sarah and Tom helps to keep every song fresh, often making you check you haven’t accidentally started listening to a different band. But no, the fact is that In Earnest are just simply diverse in their song making, which is evident throughout. 

Of the release, the band explained: “The EP took its title from a book by Matt Haig, which originally inspired us to talk so openly about mental illness. We wrote these songs to document our personal highs and lows over the past couple of years; the whole record is cyclical to reflect how most of us have felt stuck in an endless loop.”

Amazingly, ‘Reasons to stay alive’ was recorded over only four days, back in September 2020, and it also features their debut instrumental track composed by Toby. The EP will resonate most profoundly with fans of Phoebe Bridgers, Big Thief, Novo Amor and Julien Baker. 

In Earnest are performing the full EP live at Chinnerys (Southend) on 14th October, followed by The Amersham Arms (London) on 21st October. They will soon be releasing a visual accompaniment to the EP in the form of a short film, but for now, you must sit back and wait.