LITANY: ‘ADULT MOVIES’ EP REVIEW
Through swelling synths, tender lyricism and intimate vocals, Litany explores the ebb and flow of relationships, with an alt-pop kick.
Image Credit: Marieke Macklon
The third EP from Litany (Beth Cornell) is formed of five captivating tracks that sound like something straight out of an indie rom-com. It ranges from stories of drunken nights and infatuation, to going ‘too far’ with friends, to realising that the relationship you thought might be ‘it’ does in fact not have the ending you were looking for. These songs do what really great pop should do: manage to tell specific and personal stories while allowing the listener the space to relate and project their own experiences onto the lyrics.
Starting with the hooky ‘Adult Movies’, Litany explores drunken nights and that first nervous spark of romantic interest with an instantly memorable chorus: “it’s always the quiet ones who knock you out with that kind of love / I hate to admit that I feel this way”. This song serves as the perfect introduction to the set of tracks, all of which feature signature synths and snappy writing by Cornell, Fyfe, and James New, who helped write and produce the EP. ‘Sleepover’ casts a similar image, touching on crossing the line with a friend and the unease that can come with altering the nature of an existing relationship.
Image Credit: Marieke Macklon
In contrast, ‘Cream’ initially brings us down to earth with a swelling foundation and pared back chorus, before building slowly into a belter that releases a raw frustrated disappointment painted by lyrics such as “For a while you were the cat that got the cream / perhaps the cream was just too sweet for you to savour it”. Clearly a track informed by personal experience, Litany recently took to Instagram to express the pride she feels at having reached a place where she can be this lyrically vulnerable.
“Every lyric is real. I haven't embellished, nor have I shied away from anything that perhaps once I would've been too afraid to say.”
This authenticity shines through again most brightly in ‘The End’ and ‘Happy Anniversary’. The former details the bittersweet realisation that, though full of initial tender moments, a relationship you had hoped might be ‘it’ is, in fact, not right. The latter closes the show, touching on everyday frustrations in relationships versus the effort made by both parties to keep up some semblance of romantic bliss.
Across the five tracks of this EP, Litany’s willingness to speak openly provides the listener with a refreshing chance to relate, and encourages reflection on personal experience and emotion. Following ‘Adult Movies’ and a sold-out gig at The Jazz Cafe, upcoming shows include Scala in September, and a slot at ‘Hit the North’ in October alongside The Magic Gang and Lauren Hibberd, we patiently (and happily) await what’s to come from Litany.
