Rose Gray aspires to be Higher Than The Sun on her latest EP
"Higher Than The Sun"
She might not have put her career in a space where she’s known for starting a wave of unique or insightful ideas like many of her contemporaries, however, Rose Gray shows her musical aspirations on the appropriately titled Higher Than The Sun EP.
Hailing from London, Gray’s music shies away from artsy sophistication in favour of infectious electro-pop beats. Fans of artists like Caroline Polachek or Charli XCX would recognise the experimentations that she undertakes in making her four songs as sonically diverse as possible.
Although they might not have the most innovative ideas, the tracks on Higher Than The Sun highlight the wide variety of influences that Gray decides to adopt. "Ecstasy," as one example for its sensual innuendos for its lyrics, echoes back to the 2000s dance-pop tracks with its high-tempo beats and a consistent chant of the title for the chorus. With the keyboard playing that bounces along with the rhythm, the groove feels infectious to dance along to.
"Promise Me," in contrast with the previous track, has a certain ethereality in the vocal performance which subtly feels reminiscent of dream pop in the 1980s. Its lyrics, which is centred around renewing a relationship, is engulfed in its hypnotic bassline and a nice layering of the backing vocals. For a funk-infused standout, "Prettier Than You" describes the instant start to a bond with such a seductive description that could make for a potential hit in the club. Its futuristic bass, spacey panning of the beats, glitchy repeat of the pre-chorus, and creative percussion will no doubt stick in the mind of its listeners. It’s catchy, distinct, and accessible enough to be played on dancefloors in many a club.
Lastly, "Sun Comes Up" is more downtempo with a lot of issues that could make it the weakest cut on the EP. The subtle backing of the violins can detract from the experience in a way that doesn’t feel as rewarding as it is annoying. The repetitive choruses and hums further makes the song feel lacklustre as the production fails to elevate the vocals up to being appreciable. Overall, the track is probably the most skippable.
Rose Gray’s music has a great sense of production and most of her songs here can be played on a night out. However, it’s clear that she hasn't found a distinct identity for her to become one of the most iconic pop stars. Should she plan on releasing an album later, she should be looking to her stronger tracks here to see what sounds to adopt.
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