What You Don't Know by Fepeste
Thoughts on the 2023 Album by Fepeste.
Hi Pal,
Welcome to another review where I tell you how I feel about a specific album or EP release. We will check out What You Don’t Know by Fepeste in today's edition.
In life, I generally do not like surprises. However, my approach to new music is quite the opposite. After a brief conversation with Fepeste (the moniker for Eric Jett) on Instagram, I jumped headfirst into the singles released from this new album. Since that time, I made up my mind to write a review as soon as the full album came out.
To pass the time and prepare to write this piece, I decided to listen to his previous album, All Glory (2022) and was surprised by how different both projects are in terms of quality and stylistic approach. A quick chat with him revealed how he recently found the courage to put out his songs into the world. I’m still a little surprised how old many of these tunes are.
I can’t speak for everyone, but after listening to these two albums, I am glad to have artists like him on the scene.
“Open Mouth (Fill it Up)” starts with a steady beat, simple riffs, and honest relatable lyrics like,
I ain’t no bird or flower
I’ve got real needs
Like a house to heat
And kids, they just gotta eat
Got my eyes on everything but you
Cos I can’t see you like I see the news
I can’t taste you…
Fepeste sets the creative backdrop for the rest of the album. Acting like a response to Christ’s words about taking care of our needs in Matthew 6, there is a practicality to Jett’s writing style that manages to ask difficult questions while still remaining reverent and affirming the truth of God’s word. “Cares and Worries” continues these themes, albeit with a more energetic modern indie rock sonic approach. It was the first single I heard off the album and it shows how he can clearly communicate the challenges of adult life while remaining hopeful.
I’ve never heard someone use a building metaphor so adeptly to describe conflicts about life and purpose as he does in “A Time Like This”. There is a lot to like about this tune and the way it feels. It has a subdued quality to it that almost seems like he is holding back a bit. However, the genius of the song is in the lyrics and I was really impressed with how he weaves John the Baptist’s doubts about the identity of the Messiah and Christ’s response in Matthew 11:5 into the narrative of the song.
“Grain of Sand” is a standout track for me because of the way Fepeste and Thea Noelle complement each other on the vocals. Generally speaking, the album is full of interesting harmonies but I really like the contrast in tones here. As the title suggests, “I Need” is a heart cry to God for everything that He provides. It’s almost poetic in its approach, as he sings,
I need your glory for my eyes…
I need your thinking in my mind…
I need your rest for my head…
I need your courage in my chest…
I need your words in my mouth…
I need your faith in my doubt…
“New Skin” once again uses the words of Christ in Scripture as a foundation for one of the best songs on the album. It’s a simple enough tune with a country-like storyteller quality to it. It’s cleverly crafted and very relatable. Sonically, “Jingle” might be the happiest song on the album even though themes of inadequacy and insecurity permeate it to the core.
“K e e p i n g T i m e” has a deliberate hazy quality to it and at this point on the album, it almost feels like Fepeste has given up. Yet, I think this quality feeds nicely into the final songs on the album. In, “(I Care but) What Do I Care?”, there is a conflict in Jett’s mind about the consequences for evil people. He is obviously at odds with himself as he compares the promise of an eternal future with the sufferings of the present, while it seems like the evil folks are getting away with things. He concludes this inner struggle by choosing to focus on the joys that we will experience in eternity where “those who sow in weeping will one day reap a harvest of singing.”
“Don’t Know What You Don’t Know” is the album closer and is my favourite song on it. It brings the themes of the album full circle and ties everything up beautifully as he sings a song of perseverance. With powerful words like,
Heart won’t you stay, faithful to the one who gives faith
No don’t be swayed, have faith in the one who gives faith
Heart won’t you slow, ‘cos you don’t know what you don’t know
Fear let me go, ‘cos you don’t know what you don’t know
I remain floored by this tune every time I listen to it.
What You Don’t Know is an album about burdens. There is a tiredness to this album that everything about its approach reflects — the muted guitars, the shoegaze sensibilities and the almost sleepy quality of the vocals on the mix. As a listener, it gives you the feeling that life is a drag. Thankfully, that’s not all that Fepeste has to offer here. It’s also quite hopeful in its own unique way, teaching us to accept the things that we can’t change and to trust that God still has everything in sight.
In terms of sound, it’s not perfect. There is a rawness to the production as it can be a bit rough around the edges. Some of it works for the album’s themes and some of it doesn’t.
Notwithstanding, it is still one of the most emotionally engaging albums of the year.
Genre(s): Indie Rock, Shoegaze
RATING: 3.7/5
Listen Here:
Apple Music • Deezer • Other Links
Connect with Fepeste:
Facebook • Instagram
That’s it for today.
Catch you soon!
Talk to me about your favourite songs on the album. Also, let me know of any other albums or EPs you’d like me to review.
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