Canadian country artist Molly Brown is one of the most real, raw, and heartfelt artists to have jumped onto the country scene in a while. 24 years old, and she already knows who she is as an artist and has a specific standard and level that she needs her music to be at. That kind of devotion, dedication and seriousness resulted in The High Road EP. From the haunted small town sounds of "This Town," to the sweeter messages behind "Travel in Twos" and "Montana," this EP covers more ground than it seems possible in 6 songs. EPs are often previews of debut albums, which happened with Maddie & Tae, Kelsea Ballerini, and Cam. Because of that, they are usually filled with radio friendly songs, with maybe one ballad, but all the songs have single potential. This EP is like an album in that it has multiple kinds of songs, and really is very representative of what Brown can do as an artist. You can't say that about many EPs.
An independent artist, Brown made this EP by herself, on her own terms. Brown wrote, "My goal was always to make an EP with a huge sound, but one that sounded exactly like me. No gimmicks, no songs written by strangers, no bubble-gum pop, no over-producing, no dummed-down content, just honesty." The EP was funded through a Kickstarter that raised $13,000, but Brown was hit with exchange rates fees transferring the money from Canada (as she recorded the EP in Nashville) and ended up with a lot less than she expected, and had to make do with that. Imagine if she had had all the money she had wanted. It's hard to see this EP getting any better, but it would have if Brown had had more resources available to her.
Molly Brown is a special artist because she not only makes music that has heart, but she has an organic, real, country sound that is getting increasingly harder to find in country music these days. The sound includes some elements of folk rock and Americana, but the mixture adds a raw element to the EP. She doesn't really sound like any other artist, which I think, is one of the biggest compliments you can give a new artist. There are traces of Sheryl Crow, traces of Miranda Lambert, but in all honesty, Molly Brown is her own artist. Right now, there is a lot of emphasis in country music on being the 'next something,' like the next Taylor Swift or Carrie Underwood. This is good in some cases, because it brings in very talented artists inspired by the artist that they are deemed to be 'the next.' But it also brings in an element of people thinking that there are only three ways that you can be a successful female in country music; being a Taylor, Carrie or Miranda. And that's not true at all. Molly Brown is an example of someone who doesn't sound like the big three, independently recorded a crowd funded record, and has done moderately well.
Molly Brown is a special artist because she not only makes music that has heart, but she has an organic, real, country sound that is getting increasingly harder to find in country music these days. The sound includes some elements of folk rock and Americana, but the mixture adds a raw element to the EP. She doesn't really sound like any other artist, which I think, is one of the biggest compliments you can give a new artist. There are traces of Sheryl Crow, traces of Miranda Lambert, but in all honesty, Molly Brown is her own artist. Right now, there is a lot of emphasis in country music on being the 'next something,' like the next Taylor Swift or Carrie Underwood. This is good in some cases, because it brings in very talented artists inspired by the artist that they are deemed to be 'the next.' But it also brings in an element of people thinking that there are only three ways that you can be a successful female in country music; being a Taylor, Carrie or Miranda. And that's not true at all. Molly Brown is an example of someone who doesn't sound like the big three, independently recorded a crowd funded record, and has done moderately well.
When you delve into the songs, there's just as much depth there as there is in the persona that Brown puts out as an artist. The title track is by far the best song on the record, because it not only is an incredible song, written and produced to perfection, but it's the best representation of who Brown is an artist, maybe the reason the EP was named "The High Road." Uptempo, without sounding like a pop song, and emotional and empowering, without being overly one or the other, this song is a gem.
"This Town" and "He Ain't Gonna Call" are other highlights, because again, they're raw and real. The former track starts off the record, and it has the fullest and biggest sound of any of the songs on the EP. The latter has a more ballad feel, but it's far from a ballad. Even though these songs are highlights, "Off the Wagon" adds a playful element to the EP, "Montana" is the love song, while "Travel in Twos" addresses the need to wander with someone by your side. Every song is worth a listen.
Labels are a blessing and a curse, as UMG recording artist Kelleigh Bannen recently noted in a blog post. But I think what determines an artist's passion, desire, and motivation is how well they do without a label, how well they do without the endless help of people higher up in the industry. How well they do when it's just them and the music, with nothing in the way. That is what determines who an artist is, and how good their music is. Molly Brown worked with less money than she expected, a handful of musicians and 6 songs she had written (some with co-writers, some without), and turned it into this masterpiece of a record. If that doesn't show artistic excellence, I don't know what does.
Best tracks: This Town, He Ain't Gonna Call, The High Road
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 4 ½ crowns
"This Town" and "He Ain't Gonna Call" are other highlights, because again, they're raw and real. The former track starts off the record, and it has the fullest and biggest sound of any of the songs on the EP. The latter has a more ballad feel, but it's far from a ballad. Even though these songs are highlights, "Off the Wagon" adds a playful element to the EP, "Montana" is the love song, while "Travel in Twos" addresses the need to wander with someone by your side. Every song is worth a listen.
Labels are a blessing and a curse, as UMG recording artist Kelleigh Bannen recently noted in a blog post. But I think what determines an artist's passion, desire, and motivation is how well they do without a label, how well they do without the endless help of people higher up in the industry. How well they do when it's just them and the music, with nothing in the way. That is what determines who an artist is, and how good their music is. Molly Brown worked with less money than she expected, a handful of musicians and 6 songs she had written (some with co-writers, some without), and turned it into this masterpiece of a record. If that doesn't show artistic excellence, I don't know what does.
Best tracks: This Town, He Ain't Gonna Call, The High Road
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 4 ½ crowns
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