EP REVIEW: Carleigh Mack – Growing Pains

’…A playful yet heartfelt rumination on Mack’s metamorphosis across these recent years…’

It has been three years since New Hampshire born singer-songwriter Carleigh Mack released her debut EP, ‘Metamorphosis’. What would follow truly has been a period of transformation, having moved to Liverpool to undertake her studies at LIPA. Now, not only is Mack coming out of the other side of that journey as a newly graduated alumni, but in possession of a brand new EP, ‘Growing Pains’.

Settling into a middle ground between pop, folk, and midwest emo, the EP stands out immediately for its distinctive identity and delivery. Sonically cohesive, it avoids feeling like a rough assembly of tracks as many EPs do, and instead manages to portray a strong concept that one may expect instead from an album.

‘What If I’m Not Good Enough?’ lays gently thumping percussion beneath jangly acoustic guitars, weaving bass, and dreamy vocals bolstered by gorgeous harmonies. On ‘Dogs’, the contrast between the breezy, minalist verses, and the punchy, bitter choruses, is an absolute delight to behold. Those midwest emo influences really come through during the track’s cathartic climax, with Mack’s voice taking on a wonderful combination of whimsical yet strident

‘Drunk’ perfectly encapsulates a reckless, youthful exuberance, with Mack’s finest vocal work across the entire body of work. It’s a brilliantly catchy track that perfectly sits somewhere between the likes of Phoebe Bridgers and Taylor Swift; folkish heart combined with pop sparkle. Closing out with lead single ‘Crop Circles’, the EP is rounded off on a gentle yet infectiously catchy note, with a central vocal hook that simply refuses to leave your brain.

As implied, Mack is a phenomenal vocal presence throughout. Impressively powerful when necessary, but for the most part what makes her stand out is the sparkling charm that is persistent across every track. You can hear her influences, but Mack carefully takes those influences, and builds upon them with her own style and personal experience, culminating is a distinctive and intimate vocal performance; you truly believe that these tracks could be pages from Mack’s own diary. 

A playful yet heartfelt rumination on Mack’s metamorphosis across these recent years, ‘Growing Pains’ truly encapsulates those feelings of bewilderment, existential dread, and boundless, terrifying wonder that the dawn of adulthood brings. It’s never so dark as to become unfun to listen to, yet never so light as to loose all emotional impact. 

Success feels all but inevitable for Mack. Watch her journey very closely.

RATING: 82/100 – Very Good

For Fans Of: Phoebe Bridgers, Taylor Swift, Manchester Orchestra, The Killers, The Oh Hellos

Follow the artist on social media below:

Instagram // Spotify