Little Victories – One (2022)
With their debut EP One, Little Victories offers a collection of confessional tracks that uncover addiction among loved ones, the emptiness of heartbreak and the journey of healing. Through the tracks, they also celebrate the little victories in life that make the struggles seem worthwhile. Including two previously released singles, the EP completes the band’s first step into the music world while letting listeners know that they can lean on their music when they feel down.
These musical confessions come from Naomi Catherine Shalom (vocals, keyboards, trigger pads), Marcus Gooda (vocals, bass) and Sam Rose (guitars) with an additional performance by Bertie Atkinson (drums). Drawing on a kaleidoscope of genres, the core trio creates alternative pop sounds that meet all our emotional needs. Packed with complementary harmonies, playful melodic guitar and synths that echo into the distance, the EP creates something familiar yet exciting in its newness.
The EP opens with ‘Another Rush’ that slowly floats into your ears like the mist in the early morning. There is a delicate feeling to the melody that bolstered the harmonised vocals. Shalom’s vocals create the higher layer of the performance that rides on the deeper tones of Gooda’s performance. As the single progresses, the softness remains in the melody, but there is a forward drive to the drums. Through the lyrics, the band considers chasing a rush that will only end in something bad happening. There is an important question in the chorus that tugs at your heart. The emotive power of the harmonised vocals is amazing as they draw you into the chase before asking their heartfelt question. Later in the track, Gooda’s vocals really shine only to be answered by Shalom’s gentle and airy vocals.
‘Love Gets Me Down’ continues the soft touch of the opening track, but this tumbles into a cloud of colour. The music has a slightly more grounded feeling compared to the airiness of the opening. The vocals have a call and response to the opening before they meet for a delicate harmony. It is like two people who are going about their lives only to feel the same emotion at the same time. This feeling works perfectly with the lyrics as they consider the emptiness that fills you following a heartbreak. This track has a heavier confessional feeling as the lyrics lay out the emotions felt and the tender touch of the music creates the almost endless emptiness.
The guitar tone that opens ‘Set in Stone’ has a light tug of familiarity that leads to the realisation that you have hit rock bottom. While there is a really sobering feeling to the opening, the music builds toward the chorus as you climb out of the darkness. Shalom’s vocals whisper against the melody and send shivers down your spine with the vulnerability woven into each word. The lyrics tell the story of uncovering addictions among loved ones. This track is as touching as the last but hits in a very different want. There is a beautiful interplay between the delicate vocals that are at times extremely raw and the moving tones of the melody. It is a stunning piece of music that will stick with you long after it has ended.
The EP comes to an end with ‘Fool’ that has a more relaxed vibe to the opening. The flow of the music makes you think of floating on water as the clouds lazily move across the sky. The vulnerable vocals of the last track continue through the truly touching movement of this track. There is a deep sadness at times that fills your chest with an almost overflowing well of emotion. When the vocals start to harmonise, the emotive power is turned up to eleven. The honesty in both vocal performances shines through the soundscape. The change from Shalom to Gooda between verses creates two sides of the story in the lyrics that makes it even more touching.
Little Victories fills you with emotion through the confessional lyrics, tender vocals and masterful arrangements of their EP One. Each track tugs at your emotions as they delve into the dark parts of the soul only to offer a shoulder to lean on when you need support. The delicate tones of the instrumentation meet beautiful vocal harmonies that are truly second to none.
Find out more about Little Victories on their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
