Proper. - ‘Part-Timer’ review
Proper.
Proper. are a band that deserves your attention. They’re brutally honest and never afraid to do things on their own terms. Last year’s The Great American Novel was my album of the year, and their follow-up EP, Part-Timer, is just as good. In just 12 minutes and 15 seconds, the EP packs a punch of energetic, emotive punk rock.
While The Great American Novel explored the wider experience of a queer black artist navigating the world with each of its 15 tracks reading like chapters of a book, Part-Timer is more personal, focusing on front person Erik Garlington's own experiences in the music industry like a collection of essays. Garlington writes with unflinching honesty about the challenges of being an independent artist, but also about the joy and satisfaction of creating art on his own terms.
My eyes lit up when I saw the track "Middle Management" on the tracklist for the EP. Knowing Proper.'s history, I was hoping for another nod to The Office like "Toby" from their sophomore LP I Spent the Winter Writing Songs About Getting Better. Sadly, this was not the case. Instead, we are presented with what is possibly the stand-out track of the EP. "Middle Management," complete with its screamed hardcore breakdown at around the two-minute mark, is the heaviest track on the EP while also being one of the most vulnerable. On the track, we see Garlington brought down in a rage by one single tweet, breaking his sense of accomplishment. This track is one of the best examples I can think of how a brain, especially a neurodiverse one like mine or Garlington's, has the power to fixate on the opinions of others.
Recent single "Potential" is a raw and vulnerable exploration of Proper.'s own untapped potential. Garlington sings about how he sees others around him rising to stardom, and he questions how far he is willing to climb and what he is willing to do to reach the same level of success. We also see an artist riddled with self doubt seeing themselves as facade of what a front man should be, and questioning whether they should just sell out and seek success on others tems or not. Musically, "Potential" is the best intdouction to Proper.'s classic sound on the whole EP, with driving guitars, powerful drums, and Garlington's wordy introspective lyricism. The song is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the reality of pursuing one's dreams and questioning if success on others terms is worth it.
The penultimate track "Earn" is a powerful emo-clad introspective exploration of self-doubt. Musically this track brings to mind early third-wave emo tracks with its droning rising guitars and self-critical lyrics. Over the track Garlington questions his self-sabotaging nature, asking himself how long he’s willing to stand in his own way. Though riddled with self-doubt, he finds resolve for his younger-self and to those that has supported to make the most of this seven-year fever dream.
“Lull" is a fitting coda for the EP and Garlington’s self-reflective journey over its course. The track finds Proper. stripped backed to just vocals and simple, clean-picked electric guitar. Garlington sings about how he was laser-focused on becoming a rock star at 12 years old, but now at 32-year-old, Garlington is just looking to make enough to survive. Seemingly at the point of giving it all up he quips, “what’s the worst that can happen?” A resolve sets in to carry on making his music on his own terms.
Part-Timer is a triumph of introspection, and it sees Proper. at the top of their game. It’s the clear and honest next step in their musical trajectory, and it’s a must-listen for anyone who appreciates raw, honest music. The EP tells the tale of a band looking inward at themselves and their success to date, questioning how far they are willing to go to achieve their dreams. They sing about the pressures of the music industry, the doubts they have faced, and the sacrifices they have made. However, they ultimately resolve to do it on their own terms and continue making the music they make.
I, for one, cannot wait for their fourth album. If we take Garlington's words on "Lull" as gospel, we should be getting it at some point next year. I’m confident that it will be another masterpiece, and is already penciled in to top my ‘best of 2024’ list.
Part-Timer is out now via Father/Daughter Records and on your favourite streaming platform.
