Maria Rodhe – Happy Ending (2021)
If you are in need of an EP that offers insightful tracks that draw on many melodic elements and styles, Maria Rodhe has just what you need. Her EP Happy Ending blends her musical influences while getting you thinking about life and feeling the ups and downs. Each track is touching in its honesty and openness while dipping into the fusion style of her musical innovation.
With a gentle sense of catharsis, the EP not only introduces listeners to her blended musical style but also offers an open examination of the struggles of life. Using an inspiring touch, Rodhe conveys through her music the lessons she has learnt through life. Having started her musical career later in life than most, she encourages us all to chase our dreams while taking care of ourselves.
The EP opens with ‘One More Time’ and its gentle guitar line. There is an almost folky feeling to the opening line while Rodhe’s vocals bring a pop and RnB flow. Her voice calls to something deep inside you as she brings uncertainty and an undertone of frustration to the soundscape. The dance movement that comes later in the track adds a lightness to the sound that has you bopping to the rhythm. The interplay between light and frustration is artful in the track and keeps you hooked. The chorus is catchy and you might hear it flitter through your mind long after the song has ended.
‘No Guts’ has a more moving modern edge to the opening that slides over the soft piano line. The melody is an interesting mixture of tones and sound samples that makes the single extremely unique. You can’t really put a finger on the style which is characteristic of Rodhe’s music. Through all of this, her vocals are open and unleash all the thoughts and questions many of us have but never feel confident to ask. The vocal harmonisations add depth to the questioning while the vocals overlap beautifully.
The guitar line that opens ‘Bed of Roses’ has a rather sultry RnB flow to it. There is a create richness to the sound that is tempered by the relative simplicity. The movement of the music bolsters the smooth flow of her vocals. Through the seductive movements of the single, Rodhe has an important message to let out into the world. The inclusion of the horns brings an almost mournful feeling to certain moments of the track before the guitars cry out in the background. Every element of the track comes together for a depth of sound and meaning.
The EP closes with ‘You and Me’ which brings a lighter touch to the emotions of the EP in the opening. The brighter tones bubble through the soundscape and meet danceable beats in the chorus. There is a delightful honesty to the track that touches your heart and puts a smile on your face. Through the lyrics, you are treated to the struggles many people face in a relationship and filled with the resilience to keep trying. The guest rap vocals bring a lovely second side to the story that enhances the fight woven into the lyrics.
Maria Rodhe dives into the struggles people face in relationships while filling you with her fusion sound through the tracks of Happy Ending. The EP is a mixture of seductive tones, bright energy and raw honesty that is a pleasure to listen to. Rodhe’s vocals are sublime as they move from pop to RnB flows with effortless ease.
Find out more about Maria Rodhe on her Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
