EQ Music Interview with Stan Pratt
In this EQ Music interview with Stan Pratt, we dive deep into the world of the London-based alt-pop provocateur, whose upcoming debut EP Introspectator blurs the line between intellect and irresistible pop. A former neuroscientist turned maximalist music maker, Stan crafts songs that balance tongue-in-cheek storytelling with emotional depth, where narcissists, dopamine chasers, and beautifully twisted characters collide under shimmering synths. From the irony of his “anti-romantic ballad” “Cry Me Rivers” to the glitter-fuelled energy of his live shows, Stan proves that pop can be as smart as it is spectacular.
Stan, congratulations on your upcoming debut EP Introspectator! How does it feel to finally be releasing this collection of songs into the world?
Thank you so much! On one hand, I’ve been so excited and antsy to get these songs out as I’ve had them stored away for 1-2 years, but on the other hand, now that the date is fast approaching, I’m feeling pretty nervous about it. It’s my first body of work I’m putting out into the world as a solo artist, and one that I’m so proud of, so I just hope ultimately, it’s something that at least a few people love & connect with.
Your new single “Cry Me Rivers” is described as an “anti-romantic ballad.” Can you tell us more about the irony and emotional tension behind the song?
Of course! “Cry Me Rivers” was a song I originally wrote the melody & chords to with the intention of it becoming this kind of melancholic love song. However, when it came to writing the lyrics, I chose to completely flip the story on its head and write from the perspective of an incredibly unfeeling, almost psychopathic, person. The narrator has evidently done something to really hurt or upset someone close to them, and when this person confronts them, the narrator has this blasé attitude about it. The song also takes a darker turn where there’s an obvious shift in how the hurt friend or partner starts to beg the narrator to stay. I find it almost funny how the song sounds so dreamy but is really about this twisted sequence of events.
You’ve got a fascinating background — a neuroscientist turned alt-pop artist! How has your study of the brain influenced your songwriting and creative process?
It has definitely influenced it a lot as I was developing my songwriting style alongside studying at university. I wrote “Cry Me Rivers” during my final year exams – songwriting was a great form of procrastination! While the course was obviously a lot more scientific & mathematical, it did also open my mind up to how differently people experience the world and each other due to their brain chemistries. This is why I so often write about psychopaths or narcissists, and how differently they respond to others and their environment. I’ve always been so fascinated by human behaviour & perception, so neuroscience just helped me understand that more, and consequently influenced what I wrote about.
Each of your songs feels like a story or character study — from the narcissist in “Je Ne Sais Quoi” to the “dopamine monster” in “Dopamine Beast.” How do you come up with these personas, and do you see parts of yourself in them?
My usual approach to songwriting is that I like to choose a completely unique and specific topic or story for every song. Because of this, they often become these, as you say, ‘character studies’ as I like to use songwriting as a way to develop a greater understanding of the world and people around me. This again ties in with why I wanted to study neuroscience, as I like to understand how personalities, feelings, behaviours, and relationships can differ so much between individuals. What I’ve found through writing about these different instances is how I can always relate on some level to them. While I like to think I’m far from a cheating narcissist, I think writing these songs has helped me realise how much everyone can relate to stories that are so far from their own experiences.
Introspectator has been described as “where intellect and irresistible alt-pop collide.” What do you hope listeners will take away from this EP?
As with all my music, I hope that after the first listen, the songs get stuck in people’s heads, because I LOVE a good hook. I also hope that when people return to it, they can dissect the lyrics and have fun with figuring out what story each song is trying to tell. I also would love for people to project their own experiences & feelings onto this EP, as like I mentioned before, I feel like it’s actually very easy to find parts of you in someone else’s story or perspective. That’s what I love about these songs, as I feel like they can connect anyone to even the most villainous of people!
You’ve been praised for your “maximalist pop with an alternative edge.” What does maximalist pop mean to you, and how do you balance theatrics with authenticity?
Maximalist pop to me means big, unapologetic production paired with catchy melodies that play on loop in your head for days after listening. I feel like it’s so often made out that great narratives can’t exist in these big pop anthems, which I’ve always found really strange. This is why for years my approach to songwriting has been to always write about something that isn’t often addressed in pop music. It’s actually very easy and simple to do – just write a great story and pair it with a great hook. I think it’s something that more pop stars are starting to do now, which is very encouraging to see.
You’ve mentioned your love for 80s icons like Cocteau Twins, Kate Bush, and New Order. Who are some of your biggest musical influences, and how have they shaped your sound?
I’ve actually only relatively recently fallen into the grandiose, camp, unapologetic time that was 80s. As my sound started to develop, I started to listen to a lot more music from this era, as I feel like it really reflects the personality of the music I want to make. However, when I was a lot younger, I was a lot more limited in what I liked to listen to. I often note my biggest influence as Marina & The Diamonds, as Family Jewels first showed me how individual and experimental ‘pop’ music can be. From there I started listening to a wider breadth of popular music that influenced my sound – such as Kavinsky, Declan Mckenna, Daft Punk, Bee Gees, Imogen Heap, St Vincent etc. I also remember when Billie Eilish blew up in 2019 and how much hope it gave me, as suddenly there was this darker alternative sound dominating the charts. It equipped me with the mindset that even though I make pop music, I should feel free to challenge & push myself within it.
Your live performances — from Brighton’s Alternative Escape to headlining The Troubadour — seem to be full of glitter, energy, and emotion. What does performing live mean to you as an artist?
I feel like those descriptors are perfect! Performing live is definitely one of the most important things to me in terms of my artistry. I’ve loved performing since I can remember, like when I would blast Girls Aloud during a family function and force everyone to sit and watch me dance to it. I think I’ve really recently started to reconnect with the confidence and fun that much younger version of me had. So, the fact that I now get to have a larger group of people watch me do essentially the same thing, but to my own songs that I wrote myself is just mental. I also think it’s so fun to make someone’s night, and I always aspire to do that by getting everyone dancing and joining in. It’s an amazing way to connect with each other.
You describe your music as “fun and campy,” but also full of depth. How do you navigate that duality in your art and persona?
Like I kind of said earlier, I think those 2 things can entirely coexist. Why can’t an upbeat, fun pop song cover a darker topic? That being said, I do like to have my moments where I slow things down and get a little more honest or vulnerable. These are some of my favourite songs that I haven’t yet shared with the world. However, for me it’s important for these deeper cuts to exist alongside my more sarcastic up-tempo music, as showing both sides is important to me and my music.
Do you have any parting words for EQ Music Blog readers?
Well if you’ve made it this far, thanks so much for sticking around and caring about what I have to say haha! If you want to hear more, you can presave my EP Introspectator which comes out on 13th November. I also have some very exciting announcements coming up alongside it, so make sure you follow me on Insta or join my mailing list to not miss a thing! But for now, London – goers keep 29th November pencilled in your diary… Thank you so much guys for having me! It’s been a blast ☺
With his distinctive mix of brains, boldness, and unapologetic flair, Stan Pratt is redefining what it means to be an alt-pop artist in 2025. Introspectator is more than a debut — it’s an invitation into a world of dazzling camp, sharp wit, and emotional honesty, wrapped in hooks that stay with you long after the first listen. Don’t miss out on this rising star’s journey — follow Stan at @stanthepratt and get ready for the release of Introspectator on November 13th.
