Mollie Jay – (K)now Better (2020)
The lessons of life and love learnt in her 20s form the basis of Molly Jay’s debut EP (K)now Better. These lessons are ones that everyone goes through as they work through heartache and missteps in their youth. Using some dark pop tones with splashes of RnB and hip-hop, she creates a space where you can express and connect with growing pains. Everything about her tumultuous 20s is captured in the 7-track EP from lost friends to crushed emotions and a mental breakdown.
The coming of age theme to this album bursts through on all the tracks. They are also packed full of Jay’s style of rhythmic poetry. While the majority of the album is sung, you get to hear her rap which is something she has done for years.
The first track of the EP is ‘Gone’ which hits you with these string notes and wavering vocals. There is this wonderful build-up to the song that leads you to Jay’s vocals. Her performance is engaging as she draws you in with smooth singing and rising power for the chorus. The infectious beat her vocals ride get you moving to the rhythm. The rap section has this wonderful flow to it that melds with the singing and beats.
‘Start a Fire’ has this pulsing synth that works as a counterpoint to the light piano notes. The synths win out in the melody as her vocals hit. There is a smoothness to this single that is wonderful to hear. The chorus of the track is catchy and her vocals rise in power for it and really hit you. There are some high electronic vocals on the track that add this wonderful blast of fun.
A more sombre opening is used for ‘Even If You Scream’ with these electronic tones zipping over the deeper tones. The pounding beat hits you deep in your chest as the vocals add to the darker vibe. The chorus has a lighter tone to the rest of the track, but it retains the darkness of the lyrics and overall vibe. The lyrics are also full of darker emotions and moments from pounding hearts to talking to yourself.
‘Never Too Far’ grabs your attention with these zinging electronic notes that head straight to a pop-rap verse. There are a few layers to this track that you need to work through. Each layer adds something new from echoing vocals to beats that get your heart pounding. The arrangement of this track is amazing as it moves from rap to melodic singing and clicking back to the more hip-hop tones.
The next track is ‘Give Me Back My Heart!’ which uses this wonderful piano line to draw you in. The opening is so different from the other tracks but gives way to these almost pattering synth notes and Jay’s smooth vocals. The beats of this track are engaging while the vocals are this flowing layer that you can’t help but get lost in. The lyrics are steeped in imagery and have this wonderful motivational edge to them that makes you feel like you can get over any heartbreak.
‘Today’ hits you with vocals from the first moment which meld with these synth notes. You really get to hear the power and versatility of Jay’s vocals on this track. There are high notes before she swings into rap that you can’t help but move your head to only to meld into melodic vocal lines. Her performance is the highlight of the track as the melody forms this engaging beat below. The song also features Jus’ Chase who adds this new dimension to everything.
The EP ends with ‘Don’t Break My Heart’ which brings back those deep piano notes. These notes are overlaid with an almost ringing synth line as Jay’s vocals creep from the depths of the melody. There is something almost dreamy about her performance on the track. This is one of the most interesting songs on the EP in terms of the sonic arrangement. There are a lot of elements calmly working together to form the track and draw you down it.
Mollie Jay takes you on a journey through all the lessons and heartaches of her 20s in (K)now Better. The EP showcases everything she has to offer from amazing electronic arrangement to rapping and melodic singing.
Find out more about Mollie Jay on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
