EP REVIEW: Make Up Your Place – Tiny Voices
Describing themselves as ‘ballroom emo’, TINY VOICES from Oshkosh, Wisconsin have been making waves since the release of their 2021 EP Where The Time Went. Now they are back with Make Up Your Own Place, a seven-track EP which has features from Maxwell Culver of ENDSWELL and Kyle Kinney of EMWAY. The band are known for their high energy, and could very soon become very popular in the emo scene.
The first thing you notice about this record is its energy. Right from the opening track I Don’t Have To Be Right, I’m The Weatherman, TINY VOICES explode out of the speakers. They pack more of a punch into less than two minutes than most musicians do in a typical three or four. The track smartly transitions into lead single Minnesota? Wild., which acts as a part two in a way. It fleshes out the band more due to the extra runtime, which works in their favour as they really show off their brilliant brand of emo.
That brand does veer into the territory of what could be considered to be pop-punk sometimes; however, that just showcases how wide emo is as a genre. The energy mellows somewhat on songs such as Where My Dawgz At? featuring Culver, but even this track picks things back up as it progresses.
Furthermore, even when the band go into full mellow territory in Seasons, it shows that they have a different side to them. They sound right at home in this genre. However, that is also a little bit of an issue. It is great that TINY VOICES are comfortable in this genre as they really suit it. But emo is such a broad genre, and it wouldn’t hurt if they pushed the boat out a little bit. On the other hand, as it is just their second release ever, the band are probably sticking with what they know because they are still finding their feet.
Judging by this EP, they won’t have that struggle for long. It is an incredibly coherent record, and it is mostly fast-paced. Even the slower song does not derail the overall pacing. The band sound at their very best, and – most importantly – they sound confident. College Ave, the closing track, is a particular highlight as it has a big and rousing singalong chorus at the end. Lyrically, it talks about moving on in life and how you lose touch with friends along the way, which is an experience that unfortunately a lot of people have. The gang vocals at the end further emphasise that solidarity.
Overall, TINY VOICES have showcased on their excellent second EP that they are a force to be reckoned with. Make Up Your Place is a coherent, fun, and promising record. Despite the band sticking firmly in their comfort zone, they are just starting out, so it makes sense. Whilst the overall EP is very fun and engaging, showcasing the vast genre of emo music, the final song is a standout, and is the best song lyrically. This is a well-paced EP, with a lot of heart and passion. If you ever need a friend in music, then listen to TINY VOICES. They’ll be there for you.
Rating: 8/10
Make Up Your Place is out now via Thumbs Up Records.
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