Sit back, relax, prepare your favorite drink and put your headphones on, because this EP is going to warm you up tremendously. It has a base of primarily folk and alternative country-esque music, and songs with titles named after friends and loved ones that would only leave audiences curious until they actually decide to listen to it. To put it simply, it’s one of the most genuine tunes to be put out in the wild.
Alex McCulloch is the type of musician to put herself in her own work like a painter doing a self-portrait. Hailing from Toronto, she remains connected to home as seen (and felt) through her music (e.g., her album “Bourbon and Love Songs”, and now she aims to show the world how much the people in her life matter to her through this record.
You get a firsthand taste of how personal everything is (as we have been forewarned) in “Gregory”, the first track. But, it’s endearing in a way, that you get to visualize a setting or the story being told unfolding in your mind via a soft melody and a well-put structure.
“Gord” is a song that refers to Gord Downie. It heavily resembles a special letter out of pure fondness and love for the late singer-songwriter. You’d really ponder if this is parasocial in any way, or if they personally knew each other, but nevertheless, it’s fascinating to hear each line uttered so quickly, as if trying to get everything out before time runs out.
Moving forward, “Matthew” is probably the most soft and sweet-sounding song out of all six. It’s the type of tune to clear away the gray clouds in your head when you listen to it. Likewise, “Madeline” is intimate, vulnerable but with valid limitations, as it goes to say “I won’t compromise with liars, and I won’t pin my hopes to you / If you don’t swear that you love me too”.
A song perfect for silent nights in the tavern, perfect for lonely moments in general (sound-wise, to be specific) would be “Dave”. It gets you imagining a twinkling night sky, or people watching. As listeners, there’s a small chance we get to actually put ourselves in McCulloch’s shoes through the feeling and intent of each song. But, it’s really quite fascinating how the melody and how it sounds, plus the words of course, seemingly match who it’s made for.
An example of which is the track previously talked about and another called “Jim”, which offers a different style, but doesn’t strive too far away. She mentioned that this EP is no doubt about friends and family, which makes it better, come to think of it. How many musicians that write an entire song, nay, record, all about friends, do you know? Definitely add Alex McCulloch on that list.
Overall, the arrangements, the styles, and the unique charm to this record is bound to make you want to play it all over again. It’s one of the EPs people should really be looking out for. Heck, I’d personally listen to an interview or a podcast or just any medium with this artist talking about the background of each and every song. It’s that good.
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About the Author
Kate Clarice Lee is a psychology major in Ateneo de Naga University with a knack for music and writing. She takes interest in playing guitar, poetry, creative writing, and lyrics that—subjectively—hit close to home. Kate mostly enjoys indie, alternative, pop & punk rock music.
