Maya Hawke, a singer-songwriter most commonly known for her role as Robin in “Stranger Things”, released a new EP, “Clipped Wings”, on Oct. 4 of this year.
“Clipped Wings” is easy to listen to, not only because of its short length but because of the way it draws you in and keeps you wondering. Hawke’s voice is very distinctive, and she takes full advantage of her vocal abilities here. The EP contains four songs, each has its own mood, which offers something for everyone. The four songs feature the quirky, evocative lyricism also found in Hawke’s other work.
The opening track “Kamikaze Comic” begins with a few bold piano notes. Fans of Hawke may recognize this as a departure from her usual soft guitar melodies. The song is a little jaunty, but still vulnerable and soft. It’s also a little higher than Hawke’s usual octave, but the relatability in her lyrics keeps your attention: “I don’t know what’s so funny, but no one’s laughing now”. It’s catchy and enjoyable, a strong start to the EP.
“You Won’t Feel A Thing” is the second track in Hawke’s latest release. This song is one of the more traditional songs you would hear from Hawke. The melody sounds like one that you might’ve heard before, almost like a familiar face, except you don’t know who it is. The lyrics almost make it feel as if Hawke is speaking right to you; she repeats the title throughout the song, saying, “squeeze my hand, you won’t feel a thing”. Hawke uses her voice in a soothing yet clear way. She doesn’t mumble in this song, unlike in other ones on the EP. Although the melody is calm, the lyrics are powerful and have meaning behind them.
The intro to Hawke’s third track, “Jack London”, is more intense than the other three tracks. It starts with a sped-up beat, hearing the electric guitars in the background. This creates quite a surprise due to the contrast between her relaxed voice and the way her lyrics pierce your soul. Hawke returns to her usual lower vocal key in this song. In the last minute of “Jack London”, a surprising voice comes into play. The voice sounds like a male voice and makes you wonder who he is. This song leaves you wondering about Hawke’s inspiration.
The EP’s last song, “New For No One”, is almost a country song. Filled with twangy guitar and soft singing, it feels nostalgic and intimate. Hawke is a master at pairing slightly soul-crushing lyrics with soft, plucky melodies and she does exactly that here. On the surface, “New For No One” is laid back and summery, but if you look closely, it is a resigned and lonely ballad about feeling like nothing you do is enough. It’s a great song on its own, but it is a slightly underwhelming end to the album, as it leaves you wanting more.
After listening to Maya Hawke’s “Clipped Wings”, fans are left longing for more. How Hawke ends her tracks leaves hope that there could be more coming to Hawke’s profile soon. No matter the amount of individual styles Hawke uses in each of her songs, she is still easily identifiable because of the way she can tell a story with her lyrics. This singer-songwriter continues to release music that amazes people no matter their taste in music. “Clipped Wings” by Maya Hawke is highly recommended if you are looking for something unlike what you’ve heard before.
