“Fine!” is a dynamic pop EP featuring diverse vocal styles and a blend of acoustic and electronic instrumentation. Overall, it’s a high-energy piece filled with bops. That being said, there’s a lot of emotional resonance splattered in with lower tempo points. The use of different instrumentation keeps each track fresh and unique from one another, and one thing to highlight is the power and dynamics in both vocal tone and timbre. This is a strong release all around, and it proves that pop is far from one-note as a genre.
This EP seems to lyrically capture a rush of memories of relationships lost with emotional focus on pain, loss, past toxicity, and growth. It focuses a lot on the emotion of things, specifically, so anyone who has an introspective ear and mind will find something to relate to in these explorations. It delves into connection and yearning, even when it’s unhealthy. It gets into memories, good and bad. Lyrically, there’s a lot to explore, and there isn’t a point where the strength of the writing falters.
“Fine” does well at establishing the EP. The guitar filtering gives them a bright buzz, and a clean mix places everything in the mix. As it moves along, synths join in and float around the atmosphere. The percussion drives things along with shifts in pacing, and they play with a simple bass, which gives focus to the brighter tones. The vocals immediately establish an evolving rhythmic flow with powerful belts. Lyrically, it expresses to another a knowledge that that person isn’t fine and welcomes them with open arms. But it also expresses the knowledge of being lied to and a need for honesty.
This flows to “Out of Sight,” which introduces an anthemic acoustic sound in the intro. The vocals hit with a punchiness which is contrasted with others that are soft and sweet. The instrumentation adds electric elements as it moves forward, and the tempo is well controlled as the instrumentation picks up and flows. The bendy synths in the background have a lot of color to add, and the clacky production stands out from the first track. Lyrically, it goes into a story of disconnect but still having another on the mind, though their face brings the main voice “to a dark place.”
“To Each Their Own” picks up the percussive tempo, reverby-fingerpicking bringing listeners into its space. The vocal bends in this track are beautiful, and they have an initial softness. The quick tempo of this track plays well with the overall softness. This track captures an inability to grow with another, but it also uses depictions of city life and getting away from the pace to the beach.
Then “Monster” gets into a deeper vocal tone with a bit of a buzzy production style. The vocal rhythm picks up in the verses, and the chorus is super catchy. The blend of higher and lower-toned vocals hits well, and Shaya Zamora’s vocals have an alternative cut to them. The harmonies between the two vocalists are clean and full. This track captures a toxic former love but a pull back to that person, even when there is a knowledge that it won’t last.
“For the Record” is a bit of a softer, more contemporary cut with a great bass lead and focus on vocal emotion. This may be the most catchy track, and the pull back in tempo allows the emotion and story to shine through well. Lyrically, it seems to express not wanting to be controlled by another, and there’s a point in the pre-chorus that displays a need to get others involved to stay strong.
“You” is a stellar way to end the EP. It opts for a more acoustic sound, which bounces in a bit of a folk pop twang. It’s different from every other track, but the softness in the instrumentation allows the beauty in the vocals to stand out. There are breathy moments and a bit of a rasp that cuts in at times, and there’s a mix between softness and a belt that hits just right. In terms of lyrics, it gets into a relationship where stories change and fights break out while feeling not listened to and staying strong for another. It also gets into following the same path while shutting off emotions.
This album has a lot of depth musically and lyrically, and the lyrical explorations tie together well. It’s cohesive, and it shows the effects of toxicity and pain. It’s well-crafted overall and definitely deserves a listen (or many)!
At just 19 years old, Colby! is an alternative pop artist with a lot of flair and energy based in Texas. This artist has been a creative her whole life, working on different forms of art, and it’s obvious that said creativity lends well to her music. Being someone with dyslexia, this has played into all of the art she has created, including her music. In her ventures, she works with her brother, RJ Johnson. In the past, she’s been highlighted by sources such as Ones to Watch, Clout, Fault and Galore, and more. Her reception speaks for itself, and hopefully, she’ll keep using her passion and talent moving forward soon!
Written by Sage Plapp
Where to find Colby!
