3rd February 2024
by Willow Marie
Texan alt-indie pop artist Susannah Joffe released her EP on February 2nd, and it is certainly one you need to hear. She is truly one of the most talented up-and-coming artist right now, and this EP is a beautifully crafted reflection of this!
The EP opens with ‘Die Your Daughter’, a quiet yet catchy guitar tune that brings a certain soothing aura to the song. However the lyrics have quite the opposite effect – they explore the heartbreaking reality of having a complicated relationship with a parent. Joffe repeats ‘I will die your daughter’, starting off as a whisper but eventually building up into a perfect portrayal of feminine rage, and the pain of being a daughter to someone who doesn’t provide love like a mother should.
‘My Football Team’ follows on from this, with a gentle drum beat that is sure to have you nodding your head in approval. Joffe’s vocals throughout this song are almost hypnotic, especially during the line ‘you’re my football team and I’m rooting for you’.
Up next is the track ‘I’d Hate Me Too’, and immediately presents itself as a heart-rending tune thorugh the open line ‘When we last spoke I was a dog with a broken leg, I couldn’t run to you so I’d bite ‘til you’d shoot me dead’. The whole song carries a heavy sense of distress and tragedy that is absolutely essential to this EP and Joffe’s unprecedented lyricism certainly makes itself known. The track ends with an intense array of sounds, including the strained chanting of ‘I’d hate me too if I were you.’
The next track is one of a kind and creates utterly bewitching imagery with its vehement guitar sounds. ‘Deer In Headlights’ is arguably one of Joffe’s best tracks and leans slightly more into the world of rock compared to the rest of the EP. Her powerful vocals throughout are out of this world and mirror the distressing theme of the song. Title track ‘Your Mother’s Name’ sets a quieter tone after this, and holds a similar sound to that of Clairo’s ‘Bags’. A certain line sticks out of this song, it is ever so harrowing and relatable – ‘Unrequited love is part of being young.’ (I guess Susannah wrote this track with the intention of making us all cry…)
‘My Dog Died’ is the final track on the EP and is a sweet-sounding melody to end on. Again, the lyrics form a staggering contrast to the instruments playing behind them, but that was to be expected just from the title of the song. ‘Is it a burden to know me?’ is a line that will have you thinking about this one for weeks, and maybe even make you shed a tear.
Listen to ‘Your Mother’s Name’ EP here:
Bacchanalia Magazine 