EP Review: To Love & Be Loved

Alyssa Callander is your newest reminder that love, when it comes your way, is worth it, no matter what form it’s in. Romantic, platonic, and self-love. Her debut EP To Love & Be Loved is a warm blanket of five intimate tracks. Each songs show clear honesty and emotions, and is especially relatable to the girls. The main genre, although not restricted to it, is Indie Pop. She is an Auckland-based singer-songwriter and relishes crafting deeply emotive music. As evidenced in this EP, she explores her struggles with mental health and self-discovery; her songs range from heartfelt ballads to high-energy pop rock, creating a space where vulnerability and strength coexist. With raw lyricism and dynamic melodies, Alyssa’s music resonates with those navigating their journeys of growth and healing. Like a comforting older sister handing down relationship advice, there is a special warmth in her self-aware lyrics. I think her utilising the depth of her voice and ascendancy over her voice shows talent.

We begin with That Choice, which showcases the ongoing, distinctive guitar sound. The guitar rhythm sounds almost like an 80’s beat. This is my personal favourite song as it seems the most defining of Alyssa’s writing and sound. The meaning of this song is about the daily battle of self-love. It takes time to learn to love yourself, and sometimes you will be at war with this.

Then we are lucky enough to have Treat A Girl Right. A strong point of the female experience with dating, especially when you are young. Lyrics like “I need to teach you” and “respect is something to be earned” paint the story of being the girl who sets the standard for the next girl. I think this is Alyssa’s most powerful lyrically, and maybe that reflects the strength in her words. She lists off things like instructions for the man in question. It’s the drums that carry the theme of the song as they bounce with the lyrics.

We then flow into a song with the use of a the saying we all know, titled Friend Zone. This one was the perfect choice to open with, as it begins the EP with the overall message of love. The theme of Love can be a risky choice due to its extensive use; however, I do believe in this case, despite the multitude of songs written about love, Alyssa clearly grasps her emotions to find her own words expressing all forms of love. At its core, this song is about falling for a friend and battling the inner turmoil of wanting to confess your feelings without risking a friendship. It reflects Alyssa’s great ability with lyrics as she knows how to write relatable songs.

The next song, Love Always is an intentional, soft haze full of piano and deeply powerful vocals. From the moment I pressed play, Alyssa’s vocals remind me of Weyes Blood. Her feminine, glowing voice is drawn out, surrounding the piano. Then, a guitar slowly joins the relaxing tone to build up the energy of the song. What I noticed most in this song was the layering of vocals. I find this can be done badly or obviously sometimes, but in this case, it works perfectly with the aesthetic of the song. I appreciate those indie songs that start off slow and then rise to a crescendo. Alyssa notes this was written as a tribute to her granddad after he passed away.

Someone To Me is a strong finish as it captures the longing, hope, and quiet ache of imagining a relationship. The mix of guitar and drums generates a sorrowful beat. There are noticeable light echoes of vocals in the background. It encompasses the feeling of yearning for love. It shows a familiar formula of pop, which isn’t bad, as it makes it more bite-sized and digestible.

A reminiscence of young innocence and experience of love. Alyssa’s debut EP To Love & Be Loved has the ability to pour emotions, showing a strong beginning. A flow of lyrical talent and merging with instruments effectively make every one of these five songs enjoyable. I can see a full album of songs like these, creating a beautiful body of work.