Melbourne singer-songwriter Angie McMahon has crafted an EP that is both soothing and crushing.
This companion EP for Light, Dark, Light Again (2023) collates five songs that emerged during songwriting sessions for Angie McMahon’s stunning, dynamic latest album that didn’t quite fit into the final sequencing. As such, similar themes of rebirth, surrender and welcoming mistakes as opportunities for growth course through Light Sides.
Featuring occasional drum beats, Beginner’s introductory pace already feels crestfallen. Angie’s breathy, broken delivery – “I missed the peak of the mountain while I was cryin’ on the floor/ Felt like I was dyin’, but I just was being born…” – adds gravitas.
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Then instrumentation creeps in stealthily until unexpected brass parps gild what’s now morphed into a swinging waltz tempo. A gentle acquiescence is suggested, like admiring tiny fragments of light dancing across your bedroom walls following a sleepless night.
Untangling – with its buoyant, driving melodies – conjures Bruce Springsteen and houses another ouch-my-heart lyrical sentiment: “My least favourite feeling is hurting someone, ‘cause I was slow at healing.”
Like sonic chiaroscuro, light and shade happily coexist in the hopeful, luv’d-up Interstate: “Bruised enough to hide away but light enough to smile…”
Angie has described closer Take Up Space as Exploding’s “sister song”. While deft piano playing gallops and ascends, we visualise arms extending skyward and releasing gravitational waves into the universe: “I WANNA TAKE UP SPAAAAACE!”
Moments of suspended peace often precede instrumental flurries throughout Light Sides, with Angie’s trademark all-encompassing vocals encouraging cathartic release then gathering listeners in for a healing hug.
“If you get everything right, then there’s nothing else left…” – play Just Like North whenever you need reminding that it’s okay to feel unmoored for a spell.
LABEL: AWAL
RELEASE: 13 SEP
