Photo credit: Charlie Morachnick
The gorgeous new alternative pop EP 222 by Edinburgh-based musician Katherine Aly is a playful and seductive collection of songs that explores the highs and lows of contemporary dating while using realistic, witty lyrics to take on everyone from narcissists to mama’s boys.
With each of the four tracks drawn from Katherine’s personal dating experiences or anecdotes from friends and social media followers, the stunning EP examines relationships, situationships, first dates, and everything in between via the perspectives of women. A genre-defying sound that draws inspiration from pop, R&B and dance along with clever one-liners and catchy choruses, enhances Katherine’s flawless songwriting, creating a distinctive, varied, and epic EP that is sure to gain the gifted musician a horde of new fans.
The EP includes the fourth song, NEW HEART [for the almost one], in addition to the three previous singles, the electro-pop FREUD [for the mama’s boy], the atmospheric and aggressive EDINBURGH [for the narcissist], and WHATYAGONDOBOUTIT [for the friendzoned], which was inspired by the mid-2000s. The tune, which concludes the EP starting with a broken heart turning to glitter—a symbol of healing from difficult experiences—is a bittersweet thank-you to a recent ex. Rhythmic and introspective, it captures the enchantment of an early writing session when everything fits into place and is about discovering clarity in what is right for you.
Speaking on the EP Katherine said: “ The tracks are all essentially short stories which reflect on specific experiences with four different types of men: the mama’s boy, the friend-zoned, the narcissist, and the almost one.” “ The title of the EP comes from the duration of the tracks, which all run to two minutes and 22 seconds. All four songs were written with strong emphasis on rhythmic parts, which came before any melodic and lyric writing. I used to write songs on keys or guitar with full structures and words and then take them to the studio, but this time I wanted rhythm to dictate what my vocals and the music should do. It was a very fun experiment that helped me diversify as a songwriter.”
Inspired by musicians like Chappell Roan and Billie Eilish, Katherine’s song writing is evident throughout the EP. I personally can’t wait to see what more captivating and exciting releases will come out, this really has been a tremendous year for the rising star.