I was never really one for calming music but I feel like everything is so weird right now and more low-key, music is just hitting the spot. Beyond hitting the spot, its calming me down, and honestly who am I to question something that is able to bring my anxiety and stress levels down to a more manageable level. Tonight is one of those tense nights. I’m sitting here with a stream of a march happening here in the Twin Cities and my heart aches for my community, for this country, for the world. Add the pandemic on top of that– yeah, Cate Tomlinson’s ‘Missing’ EP entered my life at the most perfect time.
‘Missing’ starts with “Let You In” which instantly took away all of my stress and anxiety. It took over my house like a cozy blanket and a cup of hot tea. Cate’s voice instantly struck me. Although beautiful, there’s something haunting about it. You can feel the pain and emotion attached to each word even if you can’t relate. The way that Cate presents this opening track makes you relate to her and that’s a very powerful thing for someone to pull off. “Let You In” may only be the first track on this six-song EP but it was instantly a favorite of mine.
“Before I Lose You” is another warming track but with a bit more of a subdued tempo compared to “Let You In”. The special element in Cate’s voice is still there but there’s something a bit more punctuated about each word giving this track a new sense of almost pseudo-aggression in the perfect way. You can almost hear the fight in her voice as she sings the line “…before I lose you…”. Again, a perfect example of how Cate has this uncanny way of making you fall for every word just due to the conviction she presents them with.
“Muse” showcases the pop singer aspect in Cate’s voice that you can hear glimpses of in previous songs. With a steady drumbeat and a beautiful piano part behind the vocals, this song is the perfect sway-along track. You know what I mean. It’s a song that makes you want to grab your favorite person and just sway alone together wherever you are. This song could be playing in a club or in my kitchen– it really doesn’t matter– if I had my “special friend” over here, we would be slow dancing with no end on sight as this song replayed over and over again.
Just when I thought I had Cate pegged, she brings in an edge and almost bluesy vibe for “Bad For Me”. Although this new sound kind of caught me off guard, it made complete sense for Cate’s vocal range and her styling. I loved this new vibe and it makes me want more of this bluesy and energetic sound from her. That almost bluesy sentiment stayed constant as the EP moved onto the title track, “Missing” but this song also brought a more sultry sound. Again, Cate nails this new vibe perfectly and I continued to be awed by the pure talent behind this young woman.
Okay, full disclosure, the final song on this EP is titled “Ruby Soho” and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hopeful for a Rancid cover. I also would be lying if I said I wasn’t shocked when it was a perfectly Cate Tomlinson cover of the one and only song that was stuck in my head. I’m a huge Rancid fan but the way Cate pulls this cover off made it hard for me to even compare. The punk in me wants to blast her for trying to calm down such a killer track but the majority of me just sat at my desk absolutely stunned as I heard the familiar words being sung in an unfamiliar, yet perfect, way. This cover song is truly the exclamation point to a stellar EP and I can not wait to see what this young musician brings to the table in the future.
Had you given me this album just a couple of years ago, I would have shrugged it off and assumed it was too slow for my liking. I’m not as harsh these days and I am beyond thankful that I was given the opportunity to check out the beauty and talent that is Cate Tomlinson. What a stunning EP.
My Favorite Track(s): “Let You In”; “Muse”; “Ruby Soho”
For Fans Of: Slow dancing; Hot tea in front of fireplaces; Beauty
Slowdance-ability: 7.5 out of 10
What My Cats Thought Of It: Artie laid right in front of the speaker; Autumn meowed at the leaves falling outside of my front window
How Badly I Want To See This Performed Live: 6.2 out of 10
My Overall Rating: 7 out of 10
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