[EP REVIEW] MOTHICA - Somewhere In Between

Written in the aftermath of rehab, heartbreak, and significant life upheaval, the five-track EP feels less like a conventional release and more like a private journal set to music. She has spoken openly about how living with depression and addiction has often meant existing in extremes, an “all or nothing” mindset. This EP explores the discomfort of trying to survive in the middle ground, between relapse and recovery, love and loss, self-destruction and self-preservation.

From a technical standpoint, Somewhere In Between is impressively polished. The production is clean and cohesive, with instrumentation that feels professional and intentional throughout. The EP leans into moody alt-pop textures and restrained electronic elements, allowing the lyrics to remain the focal point. Each track is well placed, creating a smooth listening experience. There are no obvious production flaws or missteps. However, the project rarely strays beyond her established sonic comfort zone. There are no dramatic shifts, no instrumental showcases, and few moments of genuine risk. The EP prioritises emotional clarity over musical experimentation.

Lyrically, this is where the EP finds its greatest strength. Many of the words began as poetry written during recovery, and that rawness translates. The themes of addiction, relapse, longing, and heartbreak are handled with sincerity rather than glamorisation. There is reflection here, not romanticism. Recurring imagery, particularly roses, threads through the EP. At its strongest, this symbolism reinforces the tension between beauty and pain. At times, certain phrases edge toward familiarity, bordering on cliché. The repetition across tracks does create connective tissue, though it occasionally feels more instinctive than intentionally structured.

While the EP flows well sonically, it does not unfold as a clear narrative arc. There is no distinct beginning, escalation, and resolution. Instead, it feels like a collection of emotional snapshots drawn from the same turbulent chapter. Understanding that the songs originated as standalone poems explains this structure. The project feels authentic and diaristic rather than architecturally designed. That gives it honesty, though it slightly limits the sense of progression.

Vocally, MOTHICA delivers with intimacy and restraint. Her softness suits the confessional tone, and she avoids overdramatising the material. The emotional consistency strengthens cohesion, though a few moments could have benefited from more dynamic peaks to elevate key lines or climactic sections.

Somewhere In Between is emotionally fearless but musically cautious. It is a polished, vulnerable body of work that prioritises honesty over innovation. It does not reinvent her sound, nor does it attempt to, instead documenting a deeply personal period with clarity and control. It exists exactly where its title suggests, somewhere between fragility and strength, chaos and healing. And while it may not take bold creative risks, its sincerity makes it quietly compelling.

TRACK LISTING

1. "Evergreen Misery"

2. "Weapon"

3. "Save Your Roses"

4. "Bullet"

5. "Somewhere In Between"