Imagine a refined dinner, where each dish is a small masterpiece of haute cuisine, combining flavors and aromas carefully selected by the chef. Such is the music of Molly Bogin – her voice, like a rare truffle, slowly reveals itself in layered shades, turning into an elegant gastronomic delicacy where folk, gospel, and neo-soul intertwine. Originally from Western Massachusetts, Molly Bogin is a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and visual designer, known for her soulful voice, rich harmonies, and thoughtful lyrics. She has a background in classical music, but her heart has long wandered along the paths of folk, gospel, and musicals. Her songs carry the tang of experience, the sweetness of melody, and the piercing honesty of lyrics. Molly knows how to listen and truly hear – and this is reflected in her work, which draws inspiration from masters like Norah Jones, Bonnie Raitt, and Julia Jacklin. So, let’s move on to the main topic of this article – the new EP “Attachment Cycle”, which was released on May 29.
This time, I felt like playing a little with the style, you know, like in a restaurant where instead of a regular dinner, you’re served a tasting menu. So, my review is also a kind of gastronomic experience made up of seven “courses” (songs), where each track is like a small story on a plate. Some will be spicy, others infused with the smoky flavor of memories, and a few – desserts, light and airy like whipped cream atop a layer of subtle irony. So make yourself comfortable, grab your imaginary cutlery, and allow me to be your chef for this musical-literary dinner.
The EP opens with the track “Still Looking For You” – like a refined amuse-bouche: light, sophisticated. Here, all the musical ingredients are carefully chosen and blended to create the perfect balance and reveal the full richness of the sound. Molly is a true chef of musical emotion, fusing tradition and modernity. Her vocals are like a thin layer of caramel: crystalline, delicate. These qualities particularly shine in the track “Bad Party Guest” – its melody and delivery feel like an elegant tasting of tenderness and soft melancholy. A creamy mousse lightness on an airy cushion of transparent guitar and percussion chords. A superb combination!
I listened with great interest to the song “When The Neon Fades” – its jazzy vibes added a graceful piquancy and enriched the overall mood of the piece. However, one of my favorites on the EP is the single “3am”, where Molly’s strengths as a vocalist stand out especially vividly: impeccable technique, subtle intonation, and refined phrasing. Like a chef crafting a symphony of flavors, the singer masterfully blends different genres and influences, turning music into a true gastronomic feast for the ears and the heart.
A pleasant discovery for me were the tracks “Let Me Go” and the delicate “I Want You To Be Sad.” These songs, like two dishes from a tasting menu, unfold in different registers, yet are united by Molly Bogin’s signature culinary style. “Let Me Go” is a sweet-and-tart sauce with an unexpected hint of spice. Meanwhile, “I Want You To Be Sad” is fragile, like puff pastry – a trembling instrumental presentation, as if a tiny crumb of delicate emotion. The melody melts in your ears, leaving behind a barely perceptible feeling. Here, Molly acts like a chef using the technique of slow cooking: gently, with attention to nuance, allowing emotions to reach the right temperature.
And, as in any true gastronomic experience, the culmination comes with the final track “Dancing in the Rain” – a dessert that finishes off the refined meal: light yet rich, with an unexpected spicy note. An auteur creation in the haute-cuisine style of neo-soul, where classic meets innovation. The song opens up like a complex dessert with an unexpected harmony of flavors. And, of course, the main ingredient, the vocal – is as graceful as a warm hint of vanilla in a velvety cream, bringing all elements together into a cohesive, expressive presentation. “Dancing in the Rain” is a musical-poetic dessert for those who appreciate the taste of freedom and the power of imagination. And so, the dinner comes to an end – the plates are empty, the glasses chime with the last drops, and in the air still lingers the subtle aroma of the music still hangs in the air.
After listening to the EP “Attachment Cycle”, the first thing I noted is that Molly Bogin is a talented melodist. The themes of her songs are memorable and quite appealing – this applies both to the more up-tempo pieces, where the influence of neo-soul is clearly noticeable, and to the elegant, ballad-style tracks. All the emotions are served with taste, and the arrangements are delivered with soul. For anyone discovering Molly Bogin’s work for the first time, let this release be your evening menu for a moment alone with yourself. Bon appétit – and until the next musical tasting.
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