Teen troubadour Declan EC finds his range on Parallel Punk
Son of Montreal musician Paul Cargnello, the young artist challenges himself across post-punk, ballads, and indie rock on his sophomore album.
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Montreal teenager Declan EC is learning how to grow up—and his second album Parallel Punk shows that growth in both his songwriting and musicality.
The son of local musician Paul Cargnello (who produced much of the record), Declan EC frequently pushes his musical range. On a single album, he moves from spirited post-punk-adjacent tracks to acoustic ballads to mid-tempo indie rock grooves. Some critics have already drawn stylistic parallels to Elvis Costello, though Declan's melodies could still use some fine-tuning.
His debut, 2024's 15, established him as a musician worth watching. Parallel Punk continues that promise. At a time when teenage musicians often settle into a single lane, Declan EC's willingness to experiment—and his obvious talent—suggests real potential.
Declan EC plays Montreal Fringe Park (Rachel & St-Laurent) on Sunday, June 14 at 5 p.m., free.