Although best-known for her participation in the famous human rights anthem “Same Love” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Seattle’s own Mary Lambert has essentially been in the business of seeking out and exuding inspiration through music and poetry since her early years. She made her official solo debut on July 17, 2012- just a day before the release of “Same Love” -with the release of her first EP, ‘Letters Don’t Talk’, to much applause, then releasing her second EP during the holiday season of 2013 through renowned label Capitol Records. ‘Welcome To the Age of My Body’ is the name of her first mid-length major label debut, and, as the name suggests, it has much to do with tackling grief-ridden themes of uncertainty in oneself and trying to make the best out of a purportedly bad situation. Obtaining a record deal with a major label presented the perfect opportunity for Lambert to show off her strengths as a poet, songwriter, musician, and vocalist, and in this Winter EP of hers, she has done just that.
The opening and ending portions of the album are two parts of the same sequence, entitled “Body Love”. Being the titular work of the EP, you can bet that the emphasis put on them is well-deserved in that they are pieces of poetry drenched in emotion and given such a precise, hard-hitting delivery that it may actually be tough to get through for some listeners without crying. It’s a relatable notion that is altogether grim and hopeful, bleak and confident, somber and at ease. It’s something that one can only convincingly place on a mix-tape if it’s a slam that tells their own story; if it’s something that exudes from their pores, their very being. The way she is able to put her life out there on the table like that for anyone to take a listen to is as inspirational as one can get. Through laying out their truths through her art, she is reaching a limitless group of people who can relate, who’ll really be helped come endgame thanks to what they were able to hear through their speakers.
The songs tucked between “Body Love” are no slackers, either, with each having their own important story to tell. “She Keeps Me Warm” is a new mix of an old favorite, featuring a message and a few lines that fans of “Same Love” should be immediately familiar with and enthused by. In this track relating back to Lambert’s own life as a lesbian coming out, listeners in a similar boat should find solace in the musical reinforcement of the fact that their unrequited love for one another is what truly matters at the end of it all. “Sarasvati” is another track that’s just as great as all of the rest, featuring sparse piano and a tender, soulfully-delivered vocal across yet another sea of immensely honest, intimately engaging lyrics. It also features some intelligent nods toward Hinduism, so there’s that, too.
For someone like Lambert to step out into the world and lay her life scars down through paper, pen, and through one’s headphones is an incredibly brave thing to do, especially with the finesse, intelligence, and poise by which she naturally does so. Through ‘Welcome To the Age of My Body’, she once again delivers an honest, heart-rending experience that is a must-listen for our generation as she herself is a voice for the generation and many more to come. If “Same Love” weren’t enough of an indicator, Lambert is a top-notch vocalist, songwriter- and on top of all of that -person, and that is once again all exemplified in her latest EP.
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