EP Review: Alix Page - 'Goose'
Singer-songwriter Alix Page continues her introspective journey of self-discovery on her new EP 'Goose'.
With a songwriting capability beyond her years, the 21-year-old artist is back with five brand new tracks. The bold front cover of the EP Goose which displays a bright red A on a washing line is an interesting visual choice, a glaring reference to the 1850 Nathaniel Hawthorne novel 'The Scarlet Letter'.
The main character is a young woman named Hester Prynne who has to wear a scarlet A on her clothing for the rest of her life after being branded unchaste by the people in her community. The most recent track 'Automatic' all but confirms this theory featuring a bright red A stitched on to Pages' jeans on the single cover art. The acoustic number finds her navigating an exhausting internal tug of war, struggling to define the line between friends and lovers.
Lead single '4Runner' goes back to her roots recalling heartbreak on the highway when driving through her hometown in Southern California. This serves as the beating heart of the album, a rousing tale from her wild youth blending alcohol intoxication, instant infatuation and bad decisions. It further draws you into her inner world where her candid accounts of her young years are intriguing and intimate, like having a cup of tea with an old friend.
The EP standouts and natural sequels to the first single are 'Goose' and 'How Could I'. Both of these tracks delve deeper into the love affair exposing all the fatal flaws in plain sight. The final song ‘Toothache’ dials up the drama comparing her emotions to heart attacks, bleeding and tooth pain. Closing with the lyrics “all I do is want you back, and all I do is” sounded frustrated with herself.
Compared to the likes of Taylor Swift and Mistki, Page has a great attention to detail showing a particular knack at picking apart past relationships. She can spin the worst days into imperfect reflections that double up as blissful acoustic-guitar driven jams.
The timing of her new release couldn't have been better, her latest EP has arrived ahead of her 10 date US tour beginning on May 1st with shows in New York City, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Overall this is an understated collection of elegantly written acoustic numbers from a rising young talent, Alix Page turns the dark side of youthful angst into bright and empowering songs that counter the heartbreak.
Words by Oliver Evans
