Myylo, Ahh | Album Review 💿

With his EP era in the books, ascending, independent LGBTQ pop artist, Myylo drops an enjoyable, ‘trim and fit’ debut album with Ahh. 

The time has come.  Ascending LGBTQ pop artist 🎙 Myylo did not lie when he asserted in 2021, 💿 My EP Era Is Over Now.  #FACTS, considering he releases his debut album, 💿 Ahh, at the tail-end of 2022.  Ahh keeps things trim and fit, running a mere nine tracks at 24 minutes, but, the project successfully showcases the independent musician’s talents via singing, songwriting, and a high level of musicianship.

“Being Born Kinda Sucks” 

“Am I loser or a winner? / Catholic priest say I’m a sinner.” 🤩 🎵 “Being Born Kinda Sucks”! At least the opener from Ahh does not suck! Myylo opts for a blend of pop/rock and pop-punk. Besides style and sound, “Being Born Kinda Sucks” stands out because it explores existentialism. Here, Myylo lays out his existential crisis for the world in the most fun way possible.  The questions he asks himself are endless, such as “Am I hot or just average / What epithet’s my casket,” while the viable solutions seem harder to come by. This existential crisis makes the lyrics ‘all over the place’ which is the charm.  Of course, the best sections are the repeated ones – pre-chorus and chorus – which highlight supreme confusion, mundaneness, etc.  Also, we get an f-bomb for good measure (“I don’t know / What the fuck / Being born / Kinda sucks”).  Myylo shows of his great voice, and perhaps, more impressively, his adventurous, songwriting spirit.

Next comes 🤩 🎵 “Abercrombie & Fitch Boy”, which filled a much-needed gap – a song about those hot, perfect, A&F boys! He doesn’t take all the songwriting credit, collaborating with 🎼✍ Dorian Electra and Christian Fiore.  Given Myylo’s artistic personality, and a steamy topic like A&F boys, there was NO way “Abercrombie & Fitch Boy” could NOT be a bop. Sure, it is tongue-in-cheek, but how he crushes on, objectifies, and characterizes the thirst – it’s legit! “You got those V lines / The kind I want to see lines / So come on make a B line / Over to me tonight” isn’t the least bit far-fetched! Furthermore, who can’t relate to “And I’m staring at your poster / Wishing I was closer / To those washboard abs / On the bag?” Making this thirst trap even more alluring is the fun music video where the artist conjures up Abercrombie boys and finds himself in A&F heaven.

“Oh / I like country chromosomes / Buffalo Bill ride me like a rodeo / Count me as your next one.” 🎵 “Tally Ho” continues the surefire excellence that is Myylo. Adding to that excellence is some gay horse racing – yeehaw cowboy 🤠! “Tally Ho” marks another fun, hella catchy son.  The lyrics are tongue-n-cheek and countrified, adding another level of allure.  The chorus is everything: “Tally Ho / Giddy Up /… Country kid / Look at you go / Giddy on up yeah.” Myylo’s youthful spirit is as infectious as the lyrics he sings. The production is sleek, idiomatic of the 2020s with those mammoth drums and sweet guitars.  Also, the accompanying music video is a must see.

“Cling On”

“I want to be your one and only / I want to hold you whenever lonely / Even when we’re having a threesome.” Damn, Myylo NEVER wants to let his boyfriend go, even in the midst of a threesome!  That’s a 🤩 🎵 “Cling On” all right! Once more, Myylo showcases great musicianship.  Furthemore, he keeps it gay and proud 🌈!  Those boyish pipes are filled with exuberance as he sings so lovingly of his boyfriend (“I think I’m a cling on / Clinging on to you”).  Furthermore, that personality is giving, including colorful references to Whole Foods, Star Trek, Dance Dance Revolution, Fritos, mosquitos, and “crying down the aisle in my Target tuxedo.” Sure, It is silly yet enjoyable AF, all told.  Besides awesome vocals and entertaining lyrics, the production is lighthearted, energetic, and ready-made for pop radio.

“Baby I wasn’t joking / I want to hold you tight / I feel my pink boy heart exploding / Whenever you stay the night.” Ahh, the entertaining musician comes through with another bop, 🤩 🎵 “Pink Boy Heart”.  Once more, Myylo writes a lit song about his desire for boys (“Wrap me up in your arms / I want to be where you are”)? He does a nice job of balancing the tongue-in-cheek and legitimate desire/love goals here (“Just kiss my cheeks / With that sick technique / Then you’ll tuck me in /With my rug burn knees”). Instrumentally, there’s welcome contrast compared to previous singles, which is a win by all means.  The mark of a good musician is one who evolves, and I hear the evolution in “Pink Boy Heart.”  Follow-up 🎵 “Reservation” keeps it extremely brief, running just a minute and change.  It is a sufficient amount of time for Myylo to unleash those pesky matters of the heart. “I do not want us to end / I do not want us to break or bend but,” he sings, continuing, “Something inside says the pessimist is right / Please do not confirm my reservation / When I text you for a little confirmation that you love me still.”

“Haircut”

🤩 🎵 “Haircut” arrived as a late single from the Ahh release cycle. As the title suggests, matters of hair play a key role… to an extent.  Ultimately, “Haircut” marks another instance of Myylo writing about love as opposed to his hair.  “I remember last September when you ran your fingers through my waves / Now they’re sticking to the broom in some nameless hairdressers room agitating my heartbroken brain,” he sings memorably. He adds, “Damn, I miss you so much / Crying like loser at my haircut.”  Even though he admittedly looks better, the memories of his ex-boyfriend are killing vibe of this new do.  “All of my hair is furled up on the floor / You can’t run my fingers through my curls anymore.” True.

“The reaper can fuck off / My dog is staying with me.” That is a mic drop lyric to say the least! Man’s best friend comes through on the fun, infectious, somewhat left of center penultimate cut, 🤩 🎵 “Dogs Shouldn’t Die.” Indeed, dogs shouldn’t die and Myylo makes it clear how important it is to have such a loyal, caring bestie – like, woof, woof! Like most Myylo songs, the lyrics are everything, including the likes of, “When my mom got sad in 2012 from a breakup with a psychopath / My dog stuck with her even though he wanted to pass.” Woo! Myylo sings well, matching the energy of the bright, utterly optimistic backdrop. 

“God is sitting on her throne / Welcoming the wayward home / Ones they sent to therapists / Ones who carried lisps and limp wrists…” Wow! Ahh concludes heavenly with 🎵 “All Gays Go To Heaven” – AMEN! Of course, this is Myylo to the n^th degree, and we would not have it any other way.  If nothing else, this record is awesome talking point, particular given how some people of faith are quick to damn members of the LGBTQ+ population to hell.  “So, I don’t know why people say / That I’m not going there someday,” he sings repeatedly throughout the record, continuing, “God will lift me from my grave and say / Hey, you’re coming home.” In Myylo’s eyes, he’s ascending to heaven, baby, and what better way to cap off Ahh?

Final Thoughts 💭 

After tracking Myylo’s career for a few years, it is exciting to see him unveil his debut album.  Perhaps  Ahh is not perfect but there is plenty to sink one’s teeth into on this brief LP.  The songwriting, arguably the biggest selling point, never disappoints from start to finish.  That said, Myylo has no shortage of personality and, as stated throughout this review, he has an amazing voice.  Ahh earns my seal of approval!

🤩 Gems 💎: “Being Born Kinda Sucks,” “Abercrombie & Fitch Boy,” “Cling On,” “Pink Boy Heart,” “Haircut” & “Dogs Shouldn’t Die”

🎙 Myylo • 💿 Ahh • 🏷 Myylo • 🗓 12.16.22

[📷: Myylo]