Her first offering since her debut self-titled EP, released in August 2014, Missouri born country singer/songwriter Karli Chayne has shown much growth. She's stopped singing the cliche songs about teenage love, and has moved onto more memorable and serious songs which this EP is full of. Her sound has also evolved, to a uniquely classic version of modern country. She has the pop influences, but also the bluesy feeling that country music used to have, and Chayne is bringing that back.
There are young artists that can compared to established artists, like Kelsea Ballerini compared to a young Taylor Swift, and Lauren Alaina compared to Carrie Underwood. But Chayne is something else. There are ways she could be compared to Miranda Lambert, but Chayne is truly one artist that there really isn't an accurate comparison. In Chayne's case, that's a good thing, because there is truly nothing else like her music, giving her a leg up in the industry.
The funny thing about the beginning of this EP, is that is starts, and you think it's a pop record. The drums in the first ten seconds of the first track, "Good Bad Girl" sound like they could be on a Katy Perry song. And then the disco influenced guitar comes in and you know you're right back on a country record. All artists love playing with the parallels between good and bad, love and hate, angels and devils and more like that because it's such an interesting oxymoron. They spit out lyrics like "a little devil in those angel eyes" ("Angel Eyes," Love and Theft" ) and "I need a good boy real bad" ("Good Boy Bad," Meghan Linsey). Chayne continues that trend with this opening track, depicting how she's so good at being a good girl, with a bad side. The best line in this song is "I can be a danger to ya, but respect your mama." This line is a perfect introduction to Chayne as an artist, with her badass songs, but also her beautiful songs.
Chayne excels when she sings tracks about topics that other artists haven't written about yet. This is apparent in two of the best songs on the EP, "Quiet Game" and "Blonde Moment." The former track talks about how people don't usually say what they mean to say. An ode to the soft spoken, Chayne seems to connect with all the people out there who are to afraid to say what really needs to be said. The only other popular song that is even close to this kind of idea is "Say" by John Mayer, but Chayne's song is better. She takes a more introspective look on the problems of not speaking up, instead if just shooting off a fun pop song with the hook "say what you need to say." Mayer takes the easy way out, while Chayne digs deeper. "Blonde Moment" is a highlight just because it is so different. It doesn't sound like any other song or artist, because this is without any doubt Chayne's song. The almost spoken verses evoke comparisons to Sam Hunt, but Chayne's wry delivery adds to the overall comical feel of the song, and when she belts in the choruses, there is no doubt she is not a Sam Hunt clone. (Read full review of "Blonde Moment" here.)
The funny thing about the beginning of this EP, is that is starts, and you think it's a pop record. The drums in the first ten seconds of the first track, "Good Bad Girl" sound like they could be on a Katy Perry song. And then the disco influenced guitar comes in and you know you're right back on a country record. All artists love playing with the parallels between good and bad, love and hate, angels and devils and more like that because it's such an interesting oxymoron. They spit out lyrics like "a little devil in those angel eyes" ("Angel Eyes," Love and Theft" ) and "I need a good boy real bad" ("Good Boy Bad," Meghan Linsey). Chayne continues that trend with this opening track, depicting how she's so good at being a good girl, with a bad side. The best line in this song is "I can be a danger to ya, but respect your mama." This line is a perfect introduction to Chayne as an artist, with her badass songs, but also her beautiful songs.
Chayne excels when she sings tracks about topics that other artists haven't written about yet. This is apparent in two of the best songs on the EP, "Quiet Game" and "Blonde Moment." The former track talks about how people don't usually say what they mean to say. An ode to the soft spoken, Chayne seems to connect with all the people out there who are to afraid to say what really needs to be said. The only other popular song that is even close to this kind of idea is "Say" by John Mayer, but Chayne's song is better. She takes a more introspective look on the problems of not speaking up, instead if just shooting off a fun pop song with the hook "say what you need to say." Mayer takes the easy way out, while Chayne digs deeper. "Blonde Moment" is a highlight just because it is so different. It doesn't sound like any other song or artist, because this is without any doubt Chayne's song. The almost spoken verses evoke comparisons to Sam Hunt, but Chayne's wry delivery adds to the overall comical feel of the song, and when she belts in the choruses, there is no doubt she is not a Sam Hunt clone. (Read full review of "Blonde Moment" here.)
"Mercy" is the best song in this collection. This track is a waltz, and it is rare to see those in popular music these days. Driven by guitar, this track is a classic love track, and Chayne throws back to the blues-influenced country of older country artists. Lyrically, Chayne is asking for mercy from the man she loves, because everytime she even looks at him, she falls apart with love. A bit of a step back in feminism and girl-power, but a beautiful and truthful song nonetheless.
Chayne has the talent of creating music on topics that not many other people have written songs about, but she also has the ability to take heavily used topics and put the 'Karli Chayne' twist on them. A song on this EP in the latter category is "People Say Things," the EP's closer. Linguistically, Chayne dumbs it down a bit for the song, with lyrics not quite as strong as the other songs on this EP. But for this track, it fits. Chayne begins by telling the story of a bully in second grade, and then goes on to say how it still applies to her now in the second verse. She creates a song that is suitable for people of all ages, and stretches her appeal with this song, without losing herself.
Chayne skips all over the place on the EP, from discussing the benefits of being blonde, love, and bullies. But she maintains a consistency throughout the EP that defines her sound, so there really are no low points. Despite the plural title of this collection, Chayne will leave you with only one voice stuck in your head - hers.
Best tracks: Mercy, Quiet Game, Blonde Moment
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 4 and a half crowns
Chayne has the talent of creating music on topics that not many other people have written songs about, but she also has the ability to take heavily used topics and put the 'Karli Chayne' twist on them. A song on this EP in the latter category is "People Say Things," the EP's closer. Linguistically, Chayne dumbs it down a bit for the song, with lyrics not quite as strong as the other songs on this EP. But for this track, it fits. Chayne begins by telling the story of a bully in second grade, and then goes on to say how it still applies to her now in the second verse. She creates a song that is suitable for people of all ages, and stretches her appeal with this song, without losing herself.
Chayne skips all over the place on the EP, from discussing the benefits of being blonde, love, and bullies. But she maintains a consistency throughout the EP that defines her sound, so there really are no low points. Despite the plural title of this collection, Chayne will leave you with only one voice stuck in your head - hers.
Best tracks: Mercy, Quiet Game, Blonde Moment
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 4 and a half crowns
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