MAWD EP Review
There is no doubt that Mathews knows how to manipulate her voice, but it is an acquired taste and too many songs on her self-titled EP seem too similar to make a mark as a whole.
In a world where musicians of the male counterpart tend to dominate the music scene, Madeleine Mathews certainly holds potential in ascending up the ladder to fame.
Working under the moniker “MAWD,” Mathews has thus far released her debut EP, two singles, and has even toured in Sweden for the “Across the Pond Tour.” Released in mid-2017, Mathews utilizes her powerful vocals and catchy melodies to charm the listener in her soulful debut EP.
While there is no doubt that she definitely knows how to manipulate her voice, it does have an acquired taste to it. One second she sounds breathy, the next it is full. It coos for a while and then shifts almost immediately to a harsh, raspy sound that doesn’t appeal to everyone.
Unfortunately, too many songs on this EP seem too similar to one another to make a mark as a whole. For the most part, every song follows the same formula: start off small, build-up into the chorus, wash, rinse, and repeat. The tracks are somewhat unique and offer a few contrasting moods, swinging from the expressive to the whimsical to the reflective, but with half the EP and both bonus tracks being down-tempo and possessing ballad-like elements, you are left wishing for more of the powerful, bright vocals and melodies that Mathews so prides herself with. This can be seen in songs such as “Until There Was You” and “Black and Blue.”
A few songs do show some promise. The opening track, “Dark Room,” speaks loudly with its explosive chorus and progression, and nicely showcases the rasp, passionate vocals that Mathews delivers so well. Possessing a darker, more emotional mood and tone, it’s no wonder this song has had so much attention. Utilizing feelings of loneliness, a lack of motivation, and depression, this song offers emotions that all of us have to relate to. In contrast, “Summer in a Dream” offers a bright, cheerful tune that gets stuck in your head after only a single time of listening to it. Its peppy chorus reminds the listener of happy times with friends or family. When you hear the folk-like guitars and vocals, it is nearly impossible to not bounce your feet or sway to the rhythm.
One of the bonus tracks, “Ukelele Song,” isn’t perfect, but being a little, two-minute song that reflects on the past and loneliness, the minimal layers of instrumentals and vocals reflect the nature and idea of the song. The backing vocals literally coo in the background and echo lyrics such as “It’s been a while” and “Someone like you,” which adds to the sweetness and humility of the style.
But although a few tracks stick out from the bunch, too many of the remaining either add a weak addition to or a recycled idea from the former. The lyrics in a few of the tracks are memorable, but on one hand, you have the passionate, evocative “Dark Room,” only to hear the same lyric, “These city lights really get onto my brain” repeated over and over again in the slower “Long and Lonely Drive” on the other. Besides the choruses, because the songs share the same basic ideas of past or distant relationships, the lyrics in the verses become bland and leave something to be forgotten.
While there do exist a few gems on this EP, its lack of variety and overall immemorable lyrics don’t do it justice. Mathews has a remarkable talent to offer, of course, but while these are all great songs, they don’t do well grouped together. She has the knowledge and access to the best ingredients, but after the same formula repeated and recycled, there is a lack of spice in the music that grows bland as we progress through the tracks. She knows how to write a good song, but the repetition on this EP fails to make an impact as a whole.
Overall Rating: 6.1/10
