EP REVIEW: Whatever, Together – Lille Venn
From Norway we would like to introduce LILLE VENN and her debut EP Whatever, Together. Venn’s love of music spawned from being introduced to AVRIL LAVIGNE at the age of nine, and later taking influence from a collection of other female artists, pop-punk bands, and indie-rock, her sound was formed. Developing from acoustic tracks recorded in her room with the help of a full band that included her brother, we now have a lovely EP that brings back the nostalgia for the pop-rock we all listened to as early teens.
As the record opens with the title track, things start off with a raw acoustic guitar that immediately draws comparison to DODIE’s Sick Of Losing Soulmates. From the get-go, Venn has a beautiful voice and her lyrics hit close to home; like a fusion between the thoughts one would have as a teenager and the worries one has now that we’re older. It then switches from acoustic to a full backing band that solidifies the track’s pop-rock sound, a sound that takes you back to early to mid-00s with HILARY DUFF, AVRIL LAVIGNE and TAYLOR SWIFT playing on the radio.
As mentioned, Venn’s influences also range into different genres like pop-punk and indie, the former of which is more apparent during tracks like I Blew My Friends Off!! which is reminiscent of NECK DEEP and NEW FOUND GLORY where it’s energetic but it’s not in your face. Not Dead meanwhile takes the form of a pop-rock track that draws comparison to THE 1975’s Milk.
With every song the lyrics are loving and sweet, even when covering topics that can be heart-wrenching for anyone, like in I Hate You, I Miss You, an acoustic pop song that covers the story of letting go of someone in your life who was once so important but now just brings you misery, all without insulting or being nasty towards them. And we even have a track, Sleepover Song, that brings us back to the days of youthful innocence and even catches the essence of the bubblegum pop era one might have listened to during the hangouts depicted in the lyrical content.
This is such a fantastic EP that brings us back to the days of our youth whilst also acknowledging the modern issues surrounding fears of growing up and shared anxieties, all complete with loving lyrics that offer a positive outlook on life, even when covering sadder themes. That’s such a commendable skill, and we only want more from Venn.
Rating: 9/10
Whatever, Together is set for release on March 24th via Little Friend Big World.
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