This EP, titled after Mary Sarah's latest single, is her first full album of original music since Crazy Good in 2010. Released in August of this year, Mary Sarah continues to impress and continues to set higher and higher bars for herself as a country music singer and songwriter. Mary Sarah is one to watch in the coming months, as shown by this EP, because she has really established a voice for herself, something that many young female country singers struggle to do. But Mary Sarah has, and it's a sound that should appeal to all country fans.
This record shows off Mary Sarah's skill to greater depths than singles "Bless You Heart" or "Dress Up This Town" were ever able to do. She delves into deeper topics than mean girls and a night on the town, by singing about the industry, moving on, and heartbreak. The singles are good songs, but are quite light, and hover on the surface of the true artist that Mary Sarah is. The songs that make up this collection prove that she can go deep, and she can do it well.
Mary Sarah is an artist completely committed to the country music genre. It's refreshing to find a woman who incorporates pop elements but also keeps country music true to its name. From our review of thetitle track: "What makes Mary Sarah special is her voice, and her ability to mesh traditional country elements into modern country pop tracks....she has the incredible ability to bring back old country elements into radio friendly formats, like she does on this track. This is what country music today should sound like. It is obviously not going to sound like country music did 30 years ago, but this track also pays respect to and embraces some elements of traditional country music."
The best track of this collection is "There Goes That Memory Again," a bluegrass influenced song about moving on. Dolly Parton meets Taylor Swift on this song, with the throwback sound, but also the love-centered lyrics. This song is also similar in topic to Kacey Musgraves's "I Miss You," in which she sings about being happy with her life, but still missing someone throughout the happiness. The upbeat tempo contradicts the somewhat depressing lyrics, and Mary Sarah's vocals sound flawless, as always. This is a song that, more than any other song she has released, emphasizes how talented Mary Sarah really is. The lyrics, production, and vocals are all flawless, bringing together all of her strengths, and showing the industry that she's a full package. She's ready to be a star.
Mary Sarah is an artist completely committed to the country music genre. It's refreshing to find a woman who incorporates pop elements but also keeps country music true to its name. From our review of thetitle track: "What makes Mary Sarah special is her voice, and her ability to mesh traditional country elements into modern country pop tracks....she has the incredible ability to bring back old country elements into radio friendly formats, like she does on this track. This is what country music today should sound like. It is obviously not going to sound like country music did 30 years ago, but this track also pays respect to and embraces some elements of traditional country music."
The best track of this collection is "There Goes That Memory Again," a bluegrass influenced song about moving on. Dolly Parton meets Taylor Swift on this song, with the throwback sound, but also the love-centered lyrics. This song is also similar in topic to Kacey Musgraves's "I Miss You," in which she sings about being happy with her life, but still missing someone throughout the happiness. The upbeat tempo contradicts the somewhat depressing lyrics, and Mary Sarah's vocals sound flawless, as always. This is a song that, more than any other song she has released, emphasizes how talented Mary Sarah really is. The lyrics, production, and vocals are all flawless, bringing together all of her strengths, and showing the industry that she's a full package. She's ready to be a star.
Pop beats come in with full force at the beginning of "Thinking About Last Night," with the pop beat that introduces the track. This is one of two times that the country production gives way to a pop beat on this EP, but the country sound isn't broken because of all the country instrumentals that almost cover up the pop sound by the chorus. "More Jack Than Ice' and this song are country songs no doubt, and Mary Sarah cleverly hides the pop appeal underneath these songs.
Two other highlights are "Rags to Rhinestones" and "We Move On." The former track is a true country song, telling the story of a woman who works her way up the industry and goes from having nothing to having everything. "She followed the music" and and went from rags to rhinestones. It sounds like a story to someone else, but it also could be interpreted as a song about Mary Sarah herself. Whoever it is supposed to be about, this song is an example of masterful storytelling. "We Move On" is a more religious song, but also a song about moving on from loss. The upbeat song hides the true meaning, but also makes it more radio friendly. Lyrically, this is a comforting and uplifting track that everyone going through a hard time needs to listen to. She sings: 'We break down / we look up / and we move on." Such a universal, simple, and beautiful statement.
This EP delves more into Mary Sarah's own music is like. With Bridges, fans learned how incredible her voice is, but this is her own songwriting voice, much matured from what it was in 2010. Mary Sarah is so talented, and 2016 seems poised to be her real breakout year.
Best tracks: Rags to Rhinestones, There Goes That Memory Again, We Move On
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 4 ½ crowns
Two other highlights are "Rags to Rhinestones" and "We Move On." The former track is a true country song, telling the story of a woman who works her way up the industry and goes from having nothing to having everything. "She followed the music" and and went from rags to rhinestones. It sounds like a story to someone else, but it also could be interpreted as a song about Mary Sarah herself. Whoever it is supposed to be about, this song is an example of masterful storytelling. "We Move On" is a more religious song, but also a song about moving on from loss. The upbeat song hides the true meaning, but also makes it more radio friendly. Lyrically, this is a comforting and uplifting track that everyone going through a hard time needs to listen to. She sings: 'We break down / we look up / and we move on." Such a universal, simple, and beautiful statement.
This EP delves more into Mary Sarah's own music is like. With Bridges, fans learned how incredible her voice is, but this is her own songwriting voice, much matured from what it was in 2010. Mary Sarah is so talented, and 2016 seems poised to be her real breakout year.
Best tracks: Rags to Rhinestones, There Goes That Memory Again, We Move On
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 4 ½ crowns
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