First Between 3rd and 4th

Released in 2004, First Between 3rd and 4th is the debut EP from Joshua Radin and serves as the definitive blueprint for his 'whisper-rock' aesthetic. The recording is famously sparse, characterized by a 'dry' production style that eschews reverb and delay, placing Radin's breathy vocals at the absolute forefront of the mix. This intimacy became his trademark, leading to significant cultural placement, most notably when the track 'Winter' was featured in a pivotal, emotional scene in the television series Scrubs. The EP includes a notable cover of The Smiths' 'Girlfriend in a Coma,' which Radin reimagines as a sincere, melancholic folk ballad. Historically, this release helped bridge the gap between traditional 70s singer-songwriter influences (like Nick Drake or Paul Simon) and the burgeoning 2000s indie-folk movement. It remains a fan favorite for its purity and lack of the more polished arrangements found in his later full-length albums.