margø showcases the multiple sides of her fiercely ambitious alt-pop sound on debut EP Solo
Since March 2019, margø has been drip-feeding us with thoughtful and emphatically powerful alternative-pop tracks that have seen her begin to carving out a name for herself as a reliable source for unpredictable and often unforgettable tunes.
Debut EP Solo largely serves as much as a collection of the work she has released over the last 14 months as an entity upon itself, but proves to be a start reminder of the artists range, and the terrifying capacity she has for producing the goods on a consistent basis.
The EP begins with its title track, one of two completely new tracks on the offering, and one that sees the artist at her most reflective. In typical margø fashion however, these moments of clarity and introspection give way to distorted guitars, and immediately as a new listener you’re encouraged to expect the unexpected.
‘Someday’ and ‘In Between’ follow, staples of margø’s now signature sound and tracks that feel almost as timeless and new as the first time you heard them. From the impossibly catchy and swirling chorus of ‘Someday’ to the vehemently bass-heavy ‘In Between’, both showcase the depth and tonal range that margø’s sound has.
One of the biggest strengths that this artist and her debut EP have is that while she will push and pull her sound into a range of ambitious directions, at its core every track sounds unmistakably margø. There is a very specific DNA that is interwoven through the tracks, from the all-encompassing and powerful production to her uncompromisingly powerful voice.
The second of the new tracks is ‘Follow Me’, A more subdued and measured addition to margø’s arsenal, the track strips away the bells and whistles and showcases a more stripped back and thoughtful side of a usually much more forceful sound. The track provides a nice bit of respite and provides what is possibly the most complete showcase of margø’s voice.
As we reach the end of the EP, we come across what is possibly the artist’s strongest track to date. Uncompromisingly powerful and relentlessly catchy, ‘LOVELOST’, in this writers opinion, is the track where all of the facets of margø’s sound come together in the most awe-inspiring and memorable way. From the artists impassioned and defiant vocal to it’s speaker-blowing, bass-heavy power. The track is an emphatic statement of intent from margø, and a cutting-edge, razor-sharp piece of contemporary pop artistry.
As ‘Game Over’ closes Solo, the emotional and thoughtful track provides some time to reflect. As far as debut releases go, this EP seems to tick all of the boxes that you could hope for. It establishes a unique and captivating sound, features a multitude of slightly varying styles and moods that never feel out of place or jarring. Already margø seems to know exactly what her sound is and how to expand upon it while maintaining its core message and values and sound. Solo is a release that, as well as being powerful sonically, is littered with messages of defiance and power, tales of fearlessness and self-worth and a refusal to compromise.
Solo is a collection of work that catalogues all six releases of margø’s short time releasing music, and serves as, above anything else, a reminder of the range and consistency that she has as an artist. The artist is yet to release a track that has felt out of place or misfired, and it is when you put these tracks together as a collective that you realise the dizzying potential that the project has. If you like loud, fearless, powerful pop music, then Solo is exactly what you have been looking for.
Solo is available on May 15th
