Nashville-based artist Ray Duncan provides a relatable, heartfelt blend of soul, pop, and rock across her new EP, Laundromat. Consistently melodic songwriting complements slice-of-life lyrical journeys — from pondering how to escape one’s dead-end job, to debating the end of a relationship — amidst an excellently produced sound. The EP was recorded at Starbird Sound in Antioch, TN, with producer Mike Fahey.
Quality songwriting is quickly on display. “Feels like her future’s on a waitlist,” Duncan’s vocals lament amidst vibrant piano on the opening track “Waitress,” a heartfelt depiction at someone at a crossroads in life — and pondering how to escape from day-to-day mundanity of a dead-end job and its daily patrons. There’s a gripping, cinematic character to the lyrical narration and ruminations on how things to tend to “stay the same,” if one remains stuck in one place. The EP’s title track follows, exuding a bluesy rock smoothness into the “just leave me at the laundromat,” soulful outpouring. The EP’s one-two punch showcases a versatile enjoyment between the opener’s narrative balladry and the title track’s brass-touched blues-rock entrancement.
Laundromat continues to impress thereafter. “Underneath” feels like a thematic continuation of “Waitress,” ruminating on the power of taking a chance in escaping one’s mundanity. An expressive, wordless vocal ascent is especially stirring past the first minute. EP finale “Friends” is another standout, balancing a sound between subdued introspection and “part of something,” soaring. “I just thought we’d stay friends,” Duncan’s vocals let out with forlorn immersion into tender guitar tones, capturing the somber demise of a relationship. Laundromat is an emotively impactful EP with excellent songwriting across all five of its tracks.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
