I've followed Shorr for a while now, and before this EP, the only song that was available for purchase was "Cloud Nine", her sweet country-pop track from what feels like ten years ago, but what was actually only three. This EP, available exclusively through her official website, is another taste of Shorr's sound, her attitude, and how she approaches making music. This EP shows how her sound has evolved and matured over her time in Nashville.
The EP begins with "Trailblazer". This sets a cocky tone, where Shorr declares that she'll erase her boy's last girl and his heartbreak. The production on this track is the best on the EP, with the various layers that pause every now and then to let her vocals be the main focus. This song is also a perfect representation of Shorr's sound, with the pop influence on top of the country production and rock and roll edge.
"God Sees Everything" comes next. I'd originally heard the live and acoustic versions of this song, but not the final produced version. The production in this track is really eerie, adding to the theme of the track and reminding me of "Grave" by Megan & Liz production wise as well as lyrically. The only thing that this track lacks is a powerful bridge and last chorus. The bridge goes,
"That cross round his neck don't mean a thing
don't pay no mind to the promise ring."
Shorr then sings the first line of the chorus, her voice muted, with a different last note, and then the guitar kicks into the last chorus. It is not noticeably different than the other choruses, except the end, which is a bummer because last choruses tend to be the biggest part of a track. It's like the problem I had with last years "ChillIn' It" by Cole Swindell. There was no oomph and the end. It just doesn't round off the song. The lyrics and her vocals make up for it though, and make it a track still a worthwhile listen.
"God Sees Everything" comes next. I'd originally heard the live and acoustic versions of this song, but not the final produced version. The production in this track is really eerie, adding to the theme of the track and reminding me of "Grave" by Megan & Liz production wise as well as lyrically. The only thing that this track lacks is a powerful bridge and last chorus. The bridge goes,
"That cross round his neck don't mean a thing
don't pay no mind to the promise ring."
Shorr then sings the first line of the chorus, her voice muted, with a different last note, and then the guitar kicks into the last chorus. It is not noticeably different than the other choruses, except the end, which is a bummer because last choruses tend to be the biggest part of a track. It's like the problem I had with last years "ChillIn' It" by Cole Swindell. There was no oomph and the end. It just doesn't round off the song. The lyrics and her vocals make up for it though, and make it a track still a worthwhile listen.
Electro-rock meets country with "Throwin' Shade". The track begins with an autotuned voice saying "keep on throwing that shade". To be honest, this is why I didn't like this song much for a while. On this EP, though, it seems to fit in more and has really grown on me. Shorr's cocky attitude comes back in this track, and she really goes all out country girl here, which suits her. Shorr's vocals shine here, and she manages to blend the country and electro-rock together in such a clever way, that it has become one of my favorites on this EP.
"Young and Restless" is a typical teenage country song. Shorr does it really well, and manages to make it sound unique, even though it isn't as unique as the rest of the tracks on the EP. This is a kind of song that Taylor Swift would have sung when she was younger, and Shorr's vocals even sound a bit like Swift's in this track. The production in this track is not as up to par as the rest if the record, but definitely has potential. The bridge adds a rocky vibe into the track, making this an almost perfect county pop rock song.
The EP closes with "I Need You", which is a song I've loved forever. The cocky element spread throughout the record comes back here. Shorr's vocals shine in this track, especially in the bridge, which is my favorite part of the song, and probably the best vocal performance Shorr has on the whole EP. The acoustic country vibe closes off the record really well. Shorr chose the all around strongest track on the record to be the last thing listeners hear, which makes them want more of her beautiful voice. It is a brilliant marketing strategy. The final strums of guitar close the record with a satisfying ring. Shorrs debut EP is a force to be reckoned with, and when she does put out a full length album, it will be incredible.
Best tracks: Trailblazer, Throwin' Shade, I Need You
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 4 crowns
"Young and Restless" is a typical teenage country song. Shorr does it really well, and manages to make it sound unique, even though it isn't as unique as the rest of the tracks on the EP. This is a kind of song that Taylor Swift would have sung when she was younger, and Shorr's vocals even sound a bit like Swift's in this track. The production in this track is not as up to par as the rest if the record, but definitely has potential. The bridge adds a rocky vibe into the track, making this an almost perfect county pop rock song.
The EP closes with "I Need You", which is a song I've loved forever. The cocky element spread throughout the record comes back here. Shorr's vocals shine in this track, especially in the bridge, which is my favorite part of the song, and probably the best vocal performance Shorr has on the whole EP. The acoustic country vibe closes off the record really well. Shorr chose the all around strongest track on the record to be the last thing listeners hear, which makes them want more of her beautiful voice. It is a brilliant marketing strategy. The final strums of guitar close the record with a satisfying ring. Shorrs debut EP is a force to be reckoned with, and when she does put out a full length album, it will be incredible.
Best tracks: Trailblazer, Throwin' Shade, I Need You
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 4 crowns
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