Virginia native Kate Bollinger breathes life into her lyrics on her latest EP, A word becomes a sound. This indie R&B project was released on August 21st through Fat Possum Records as a follow up to her 2019 EP, I Don’t Wanna Lose.
Bollinger just graduated from the University of Virginia and her EP speaks to the complex experience of growing up. Her lyrics invite broad interpretations, allowing almost any listener to find their space in them.
The first of five songs, “A Couple Things,” was originally released in 2018. Bollinger sings of the consequences of codependency and losing that person. The darker lyrics are layered over bright guitar melodies throughout the project. On “Grey Skies,” Bollinger illustrates anxieties and the need to overcome them.
On “Feel Like Doing Nothing,” Bollinger embraces a fuzzy jazz sound. The lyrics draw on the comfort of being able to truly do nothing with someone else. All the while, the track flows from sweet acoustic guitar to jazzy bass lines as the song slowly winds down to just that ‒ nothing.
A word becomes a sound’s bedroom pop aesthetic creates an intimate listening experience for the audience. Every listen extracts past memories and new images. Bollinger took me back to a September night in a dimly lit living room, hazy evening walks, and distant smells wafting my way. Bollinger creates a warm, alluring sound that is extremely evocative.
If you were left wanting more than the 15 minutes on this EP, Bollinger has already started working on new music. Stay up-to-date with Kate on Bandcamp, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Website, or Spotify.
Miranda Roberts is a recent graduate from the University of Kansas with a passion for writing, music obsession, and a serious crossword puzzle addiction.
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