grentperez Narrates a Perfect Love Story with His Debut Album
Solidifying himself in the indie scene, singer-songwriter grentperez has unveiled his highly anticipated debut album, Backflips at a Restaurant. Known for his soothing vocals, catchy guitar strumming, and picturesque scene setting, Perez brought all these elements to life in full force on this album. After wide success with his 2021 single “Cherry Wine” and seven-track EP When We Were Younger, a full studio album was precisely what Perez needed to round out his initial discography. As of March 28, the wait is over – Backflips at a Restaurant is here with a whopping 13 songs, all showcasing Perez’s growth and individualistic artistry.
A Plethora of Pre-releases
But let’s start before the album came out. In mid-September 2024, Perez lightened the music scene with a collaboration with Benny Sings on “Fuzzy Feeling.” The song was a showstopper with its lively and nostalgic backtrack, making the feeling of falling in love that Perez sings about even more intoxicating. In the same vein, Perez released “2DK” (two drunk kids) almost two months later.
For Perez, “2DK” was completely new and experimental, with an electronic beat and distorted vocals, yet it matched his youthful persona perfectly. The song borders on slight rap rather than singing as Perez experiences the highs and lows of a night at the club. To start the song, Perez sings, “Two drunk kids turnin’ up for the night / Where you been all my life? / Two drunk kids, are you down for the ride? / And if you’re not I’m waiting.” “2DK” was even described by Perez in a Spotify video as a song “about having fun, going to the club, potentially sex. Who knows?”
After ending 2024 with a bang, grentperez started 2025 even bigger with a collaboration with fellow Australian singer Ruel. On their hit, “Dandelion,” the two split the song until they meet for the bridge. As they echo each other singing, “We could go anywhere we need to, baby,” their voices melt together in harmony. Since both singers have a deep register, the switch from one to the other throughout the song becomes seamless and is complemented by Perez taking higher notes at times to lighten the tone.
Setting the tone for his full-length studio album, Perez dropped his final pre-release, “Movie Scene,” about a month before the album. Traveling further into his sexy side, the singer balances his vocals over an R&B-inspired beat with a slower tempo and carrying percussion. While filled with film references, the song focuses on Perez in an awe-struck state after seeing the girl of his dreams, feeling as if he’s in a scene of his own. In the music video, he’s seen stumbling through a movie set. Though alternatively, Perez was setting the stage perfectly for an album that builds a soundtrack to youth and love.
Main Character: Grant Perez
The curtain opens on a boy with black hair, short in the front, long in the back, wearing glasses and, probably, a button-up shirt. He’s looking for love, and when he finds her, he’s prepared to say “Nice to Meet You.” The soundtrack of grentperez’s adventure starts with upbeat percussion and a high-pitched synth as he explains his situation. He sings, “I know there’s somebody out there for me (it’s only you) / To complete the other half of the story / My chapter two.” Imagining the perfect scenario of finding the love of his life, he describes the scene until ultimately deciding that when their paths cross, he will finally say, “It’s nice to meet you.”
As the eclectic intro dwindles to a close, Perez’s sights suddenly focus on someone he could love, the “Girl at the Station.” With a heartfelt sweeping of strings, Perez’s voice is uplifted by an ensemble of ethereal chords. The album’s second track is filled with timeless vocals and describes an even more timeless scene of falling in love with a stranger, who he hopes won’t be one for much longer. Overflowing with sweet visuals and the ideals of a hopeless romantic, “Girl at the Station” aptly sets up Perez’s character for the rest of the album.
You’ve been there. We’ve been there. Grentperez has been there. “Falling for a Friend,” the third track on the album, tells the ever-present problem of blooming feelings for a painfully close acquaintance. The seventh song, “Everest,” is similar in tempo and theme, as the artist sings about his deepening emotions towards the one who holds his heart. The song presents a glimmer of country twang to the album with slightly raising notes and the simplicity of a southern string.
In “Everest,” Perez sings, “I make my way back home / And spend the evenings all with you / You’re all I want and all I need / Beside me for the rest of my life.” While “Falling for a Friend” describes the realization of a painful likeness, “Everest” describes accepting those feelings as Perez is willing to flip backwards for them.
Let’s Get to the Love
Strategically placed, there are multiple songs throughout the album that quicken the tempo and show that not all love stories are slow and sappy. Some are about releasing all that pent-up stress and those worrisome thoughts by spending time with a lover. Returning to what youth is all about, “Headspace” lists all the reasons that life is too short to pull your hair out with temporary anxieties.
Focusing on what can be controlled, Perez sings, “Let’s make fun of movie stars / A car ride after dark / Or just something that’ll lead those thoughts astray / When you’re thinking that way.” The quickening tempo seems to mimic the rapid movement of an anxious mind while also reflecting the need for remedy felt by Perez. The song dissolves into a tune of the exact opposite feeling, wanting to be there for someone but not being there physically.
“12065,” the kilometers between LA and Sidney, adds a longing and melancholy to the album. In an Instagram sneak peek of the song, grentperez is seen on Facetime to a contact with three hearts. The concept of long distance and substituting physical connection with verbal communication is a growing reality, and for artists like Perez, the world is split between two places. Though the tempo is solemn, the lyrics are hopeful, even if the singer stays in the “state of 12065 away.” The song also plays with vocal and tonal distortion, closely representing being on a call with another.
It’s All About “You”
The title track, “Need You Around,” is equally groovy as the singer himself and adds a rowdiness and vibrancy to the album. “Need You Around” is a song made for a bit of motivation on Mondays. In the music video, Perez can be seen adorned in retro pajamas, amongst other outfits, and surrounded by an ‘80s-inspired interior as he dances around with his partner. Only, she’s not there. As he serenades her, dances with her, and even proposes, his response is fantastic, and hers is imaginary. “Need You Around” shows the artist’s quirky side while bringing fun to the album with visuals unique to Perez.
Succeeding the title track is a grouping of funky pre-releases enclosed between two sentimental and equally cinematic songs, “Reason Why” and “Yours to Keep.” “Need You Around” slips into “Reason Why,” a song that is as heartbreaking as it is comforting. Effortlessly romantic, Perez is seen in the visualizer, painting a self-portrait with the caption “READ BETWEEN THE LINES.” The lines just so happen to be the lines of his fingers held in front of his face, blocking him from seeing the love that sits before his eyes.
With every painting during the album visualizer, listeners can get a deeper understanding of the intent behind the songs, and “Reason Why” is no exception. Since no one is named and no characters are created throughout, the subject of the song is left blank, leaving it open to interpretation, unlike “Yours to Keep.” Closing the album and the visualizer, “Yours to Keep” is a devotion to that one person who keeps his heart safe and happy.
Before the album comes to a close, he is joined by the one he loves as they dance while the lyrics of the song float around them. “Yours to Keep” closes not only the album but the story that Perez set out to tell. One of yearning, insecurity, loss, and ultimately love. In the ending scene, he sings, “This heart / Not only mine anymore / It’s yours / Until the day my heart no longer beats / It’s yours to keep.” With that, the curtain is closed, the credits roll, and grentperez’s debut album, Backflips in a Restaurant, has come to a close.
Keep up with grentperez on Instagram and TikTok and listen to his debut studio album Backflips in a Restaurant on Spotify and Apple Music.
Want more album reviews? Check out our breakdown of WOLF HOWL HARMONY’s debut album here!
