Katerina’s new EP titled “Songs I Wrote When I Was 18” is fit to soundtrack any of your favourite coming-of-age movies and is truly a debut done right. Dive in below.
The opening track titled “Ballad of a Hollywood Dreamer” features stunning vocals over a just-right blend of guitar and drums, where they both manage to make themselves heard without overpowering the vocals. With the song being about a young girl desperate to be a Hollywood star and ending up walking into a TV screen, it makes you think – where was this when “Pearl” was being shot? The ethereal, dreamy sound of Katerina’s voice perfectly reflects the passion with no place to go.
The second track titled “ Brill Building” focuses more on piano and guitar than percussion, and they compliment each other beautifully throughout the story of a songwriter during the 60s who is toying with the idea of leaving her job.
“I wish I was walking home” is a bittersweet track about walking around a neighbourhood, a perfect addition to anyone’s “gloomy” playlist. The expressions in the vocals on this track, particularly, are priceless.
“Mind of an artist” immediately reminded me, just a little bit, of Nina’s 99 Red Balloons. Written about a man whose passion for his art eats away at his grasp on reality, my favourite part of this track is the bridge.
The last track on this EP “They’re trying to sell my books”, my personal favourite and possibly the saddest, is about not wanting to leave a familiar place and its comfort. The line “What’s the point of leaving, when you can spend your time dreaming?” is one that particularly stood out. That being said, all of the lyrics on this one are nothing short of art. If this had come out before December, it would have probably made it to my Spotify wrapped.
Overall, this EP is an absolutely gorgeous blend of sounds and words: it’s not in-your-face, screaming “notice me!” but you will anyway – beautiful things don’t ask for attention. Katerina has stolen my heart with this one and I can’t wait to see what’s next from her.
Featured image credit: https://katerinamusicwebsite.wordpress.com