Review by Shannon Shumaker
Denver indie folk band mlady have arrived just in time for spring and summer with their bright, emotional and absolutely stunning new self-titled EP. Spearheaded by warm, striking and soulful vocals from frontwoman, Hannah Beeghly coupled with creative songwriting that rides the line between country, folk and indie-rock, the EP is a perfectly balanced collection of six songs that showcase all sides of mlady.
Opening track, “IDKY” is heartbreakingly beautiful and for those who are listening to mlady for the first time, it’ll serve as a perfect introduction. Simple guitar, stunning vocals and vulnerable lyrics open the EP with an unconventionally mellow tone, but it absolutely works. The band then transitions into the bittersweet, “Bad For Me,” which is driven by the line, “You’re so bad for me / but I can’t get enough”. Contrasting with the simplistic “IDKY”, the timeless “Bad For Me” is a bit fuller sounding, really showcasing the band’s songwriting abilities.
While the first two songs on the EP are a bit somber and bittersweet, the next two songs, “Deep In” and “You’ll Be Happy” showcase another side of the band. “Deep In” serves as a beautiful, dreamy love song, hosting some of the strongest vocal work on the EP, while “You’ll Be Happy” is a really hopeful track.
Despite the fact that there are quite a few emotional and sonic ups and downs on the EP, it never once feels choppy or inconsistent. Instead, mlady transition with ease between energetic tracks like “You’ll Be Happy”, slower songs like “Deep In” and even the stripped down final track, “5am Hymn.” If this EP serves as a sampler of what the band is capable of, then they’re sure to grow even more on future releases.
LISTEN TO: “Bad For Me”
STAY CONNECTED WITH MLADY: https://www.facebook.com/mladymusic/