Stream Kate Malanaphy’s “Soak” EP
It wasn’t that long ago that local songwriter Kate Malanaphy first crossed our radar with her excellent debut EP In and Under. A few days ago she followed that up with a brand new one, Soak. If you haven’t already started paying attention to Malanaphy, her latest material gives ample reason for doing so.
Soak is a piano-driven collection of lush, electronically modulated pop tunes. Thematically the material has a very melancholy aspect. Malanaphy clearly uses her art to work through struggles. Lyrically it feels like a breakup album (or at least some kind of relationship loss) but there are also elements that come through that also suggest more complicated inner turmoil.
It’s not all gloom though, there are moments of strength such as in “Dirty Laundry” (which appears at the start of the EP and then is reprised at the end) which suggests coming to terms with and owning your own baggage in the chorus of “Don’t tell me nothing is ever going to fit me right / I’ll wear my dirty laundry out tonight.”
Though it’s clearly born of heartbreak, Soak is a gorgeous and deeply affecting listen. You can stream and purchase the whole thing below or by going to Malanaphy’s Bandcamp page. Keep an eye on her Facebook for news, shows, etc.
— Jon
