Grace Gardner's new EP, "After Knowing," shares an intimate journey of self-discovery and emotional growth. This collection features seven songs that run for just over 32 minutes and capture the challenging transition from innocence to the discovery of hard truths.
At the center of After Knowing are the standout tracks "Smaller" and "Big Picture." After Knowing showcases Grace's unique storytelling style, which is expressive, heartfelt, and brutally honest. "After Knowing" explores the idea that knowledge can be both a blessing and a heavyweight. Grace reflects on this experience, saying, "Before Knowing, I feel like a person with grit and resilience and a story to tell. "After Knowing," I look back with remorse."
The themes of After Knowing touch on the struggle between trusting our instincts and using logic, highlighting a key aspect of Gardner's music. "Smaller" dives into the heavy feelings from looking back on past experiences, filled with a deep emotional ache. In contrast, "Big Picture" broadens the view on heartbreak, stepping back to recognize the lessons learned from loss.
Across "After Knowing," Grace's soft yet powerful voice combines with atmospheric sounds that enhance the profound emotions expressed. Their lyrics are sharp and poignant, bringing to light feelings many people can relate to, but few articulate with such beauty.