Mickey Guyton was introduced to country radio with "Better Than You Left Me". But she was introduced to fans and country music in general with this four track acoustic EP, Unbreakable. With this record, Guyton's vocals are the main instrument, with only acoustic accompaniment, showing fans the extreme amount of vocal talent she has. It is common for artists to start with an acoustic setting because that is the easiest way to truly show the raw talent an artist has. Guyton proves herself with this EP and shows she's ready to take the country world by storm.
The EP begins with "Forever Love". This joyful love track is the perfect introduction to Guyton's vocals and her unique production and lyrics. The banjo is a key instrument in this track, which sets the mood create a truly happy song. This song is almost like the scene before "Better Than You Left Me". With lyrics like, "it happened so fast" and "boy I wanna fix you dinner" and the immediate declaration of 'forever love' seem like a death sentence. Especially the lyric "I know it's different this time" show that maybe she's falling too fast and is going to regret it, which she ultimately does in her debut single. So even though this song is undeniably joyful, it has that foolish naive undertone that is the recipe for disaster.
Although some of the four songs in this record about live, there are two about girl power and empowerment in general. "Pretty Little Mustang" is one of those. A lyric in the verse does declare that the girl is "gonna drive those boys right outta their minds", but then Guyton quickly follows it with, "it's high time that you shine." The song actually has nothing to do with cars or mustangs or anything like that. This song is just about the day when a girl finally finds confidence in herself and believes that she is beautiful, she is lovable, she is incredible. It's a moment that only happens occasionally in life, and for some, never. Guyton describes a special moment in a girl's life in such a catchy and relatable way. Production wise, fiddles are the main focus of this track, but it's not hard to imagine how insane this song would be if it were fully produced with electric guitars and a full set of drums. It would then be a girl power song that could rival Shania Twain's "Man I Feel Like A Woman". The final song on this EP, and in my opinion the best song, is another one of those empowerment anthems. "Unbreakable", the title track, is a masterpiece. Acoustic tracks often lack the fullness in sound that fully produced tracks have, but this one lacks nothing. It benefits this song to not be overly produced, because with the intricate production of the fiddle, acoustic guitar, banjo, and mandolin, this track is the most empowering song out there. The idea of this song is a cliche, but I have never heard a song like this better done. In the chorus, Guyton belts,
"Let it all crash in, let it all come down
Take your shot world, what you got We'll just keep picking ourselves up off the ground
Sometimes we gotta burn to learn that there's a fire in us all, yeah
It's gonna hurt but sometimes we gotta fall
To find out we're unbreakable"
This chorus contains some of the most effortless rhymes in a country song. "Sometimes we gotta burn to learn" flows so smoothly off of her tongue. The smoothness and perfection of the song, without the unattainable aspect make it incredibly relatable and empowering.
The only ballad on the EP, "Safe" is also one of the best songs on the EP. This is where the acoustic element really comes it. With just acoustic guitar, this song proudly displays the rawness and emotion in Guyton's vocals, but also the perfection in her technique that is unmatchable.
Overall, this EP was a great introduction to Guyton. This EP is a collage of different topics that all seem to fit together in one story that leads up to her debut single. "Mustang" is the first time she met the guy. "Forever Love" is when she begins to really fall for him. "Safe" is when he has just left. "Unbreakable" is when she first discovers she's not going to die without him. And then "Better Than You Left Me" is the slap in the face when he comes back around trying to get in her head again. Whether this was Guyton's intention or not, this EP is a story of empowerment,overcoming odds and enjoying life despite the bullets it may shoot at you.
Best Tracks: Unbreakable, Safe
Throwaway Tracks: none
Overall rating: 4 and a half crowns
Although some of the four songs in this record about live, there are two about girl power and empowerment in general. "Pretty Little Mustang" is one of those. A lyric in the verse does declare that the girl is "gonna drive those boys right outta their minds", but then Guyton quickly follows it with, "it's high time that you shine." The song actually has nothing to do with cars or mustangs or anything like that. This song is just about the day when a girl finally finds confidence in herself and believes that she is beautiful, she is lovable, she is incredible. It's a moment that only happens occasionally in life, and for some, never. Guyton describes a special moment in a girl's life in such a catchy and relatable way. Production wise, fiddles are the main focus of this track, but it's not hard to imagine how insane this song would be if it were fully produced with electric guitars and a full set of drums. It would then be a girl power song that could rival Shania Twain's "Man I Feel Like A Woman". The final song on this EP, and in my opinion the best song, is another one of those empowerment anthems. "Unbreakable", the title track, is a masterpiece. Acoustic tracks often lack the fullness in sound that fully produced tracks have, but this one lacks nothing. It benefits this song to not be overly produced, because with the intricate production of the fiddle, acoustic guitar, banjo, and mandolin, this track is the most empowering song out there. The idea of this song is a cliche, but I have never heard a song like this better done. In the chorus, Guyton belts,
"Let it all crash in, let it all come down
Take your shot world, what you got We'll just keep picking ourselves up off the ground
Sometimes we gotta burn to learn that there's a fire in us all, yeah
It's gonna hurt but sometimes we gotta fall
To find out we're unbreakable"
This chorus contains some of the most effortless rhymes in a country song. "Sometimes we gotta burn to learn" flows so smoothly off of her tongue. The smoothness and perfection of the song, without the unattainable aspect make it incredibly relatable and empowering.
The only ballad on the EP, "Safe" is also one of the best songs on the EP. This is where the acoustic element really comes it. With just acoustic guitar, this song proudly displays the rawness and emotion in Guyton's vocals, but also the perfection in her technique that is unmatchable.
Overall, this EP was a great introduction to Guyton. This EP is a collage of different topics that all seem to fit together in one story that leads up to her debut single. "Mustang" is the first time she met the guy. "Forever Love" is when she begins to really fall for him. "Safe" is when he has just left. "Unbreakable" is when she first discovers she's not going to die without him. And then "Better Than You Left Me" is the slap in the face when he comes back around trying to get in her head again. Whether this was Guyton's intention or not, this EP is a story of empowerment,overcoming odds and enjoying life despite the bullets it may shoot at you.
Best Tracks: Unbreakable, Safe
Throwaway Tracks: none
Overall rating: 4 and a half crowns
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