A musician is exploring his insecurity and self-doubt on a solo tour with his new album.
Ed Cosens, of Reverend and The Makers, is out on tour following the release of his album Somewhere Between Dark and Light on May 24.
Ahead of the release he shared the “most personal” song, Little Boy. The gently string-laced acoustic meditation talks of the titular character “sitting in the corner, doesn’t know what he wants to be... the little boy is me.”
It was partly inspired by the feelings of insecurity and self-doubt Cosens says have always plagued him.
He said: “It’s like, ‘What is my place in all of this?’ I felt that sometimes being in Reverend and the Makers with characters like Jon, so loud and effervescent, I’d struggle to be heard. I’m the exact opposite, really, I’m very quiet, happy to sit at the back of the room.”
That might just be changing though, as Cosens explains that one of the reasons he’s felt the urge to strike out on his own is to make his mark under his own steam.
“I’m really proud of what I achieved in the Makers,” he added.
“But I suppose now I’d like my story to be told and heard.”
The album Somewhere Between Dark And Light offers a variety of classic songwriting, delving into personal territory for inspiration.
The new album addresses issues that have felt all too close to home in recent years, after the pandemic led many to face up to the fragility of existence, and Cosens, now a father to two boys, addresses what family means to him in the heart-on-sleeve piano ballad “Tiny Boxes”, which he pinpoints as one of his favourites on the record.
Earlier this year Cosens released Doghouse, a song for anyone who has ever found themselves relegated to the couch. His last single Suckerpunch addresses situations that feel completely out of your control.
Talking about the personal nature of these songs, Cosens explained: “These things stay with you sometimes and whilst at the time they may be difficult, at least they provide a rich seam of ideas and lyrics that can be mined at a later date.”
Cosens will be performing at The Chapel, Nottingham, on Friday, May 31.
