Myylo, I’m a Nice Boy (EP) | Album Review 💿

Rising Nashville-based pop musician Myylo absolutely “knocks it out of the park” on his alluring, independently-released, five-song EP, ‘I’m a Nice Boy.’  

Cutting straight to the chase, Myylo is one hell of a unique musician – understatement.  What makes the Nashville-based LGBT pop musician so special? Perhaps it’s “mixing idiosyncratic lyricism, janky classical guitar, lo-fi saxophone licks, and sky-high falsettos to create something truly special.” Yeah – couldn’t have said it better myself! 😉 His second EP, I’m A Nice Boy, is comprised of five singles released between 2018 and 2019. (“Be My Baby”, “Doc Martens”, “Lack of You”, “Jonesing” and “Cyborg”).  Honestly, it’s a pretty ‘nice’ project.

“Cyborg”

“I wish that I could make myself a cyborg / Shoot up into space with my jet pack / Bounce around the heavens till I found God / And ask her why I ever let you go, go, go, go…” Matters of the heart are affecting Myylo on ✓ “Cyborg”.  Love serves as the central theme of I’m a Nice Boy, so “Cyborg” sets the tone. Myylo drops the aforementioned outlandish chorus to convey his feelings of regret regarding an ex-boyfriend that he let go. On the ‘Elton John’, name-dropping first verse, the “Rocket Man” is “Swooping in like a space force cowboy / Tryna get you back.” Yeah, admit it – the lyrics are damn clever.  On the second verse, he states that “we don’t talk about your boyfriend” because “you’d rather be mine.” There’s a reason why “Cyborg” was featured as one of the 10 Awesome Songs That ‘Tickled My Fancy’ in February 2019 playlist.

“Boy go on and smoke that pipe / Do anything you like / We gonna be alright / Just be my baby.” It’s clear what Myylo desires on “Be My Baby,” a fine follow-up to “Cyborg.” “Be My Baby” successfully blends contemporary pop, contemporary R&B, and a dash of soul.  The result is a record that is fresh to the nth degree. All boxes are checked off: relatable songwriting (love), soulful lead vocals, beastly harmonized vocals, and awesome production work.  Who wouldn’t want to be this guy’s ‘baby’?

“Jonesing”

Myylo’s pain of “wanting a boy who’s just too damn far away” is our listening pleasure (quasi-schadenfreude perhaps?) on ✓ “Jonesing”.  Thematically, he’s struggling with the infamous long-distance relationship – this boy is ideal, but the distance is a problem.  What isn’t a problem is the ear-catching excellence.  The production is brilliant, including keyboards, drum programming, and a fitting saxophone solo appearing at the conclusion of the record. Lovely, warm, and soulful vocal harmonies arrive at the onset, instantly giving “Jonesing” a throwback, R&B vibe.  Ultimately, this just adds to the glory of this superb modern pop-soul record.

Theme and production bode well in Myylo’s favor, but so does his voice and his overall performance. He delivers fun, irresistibly delicious, tongue-in-cheek vocals; He has plenty of energy, and excels with his playful, flirty delivery. Melodically, “Jonesing” is quite rhythmic, devoid of dull moments. The catchiest sections are the pre-chorus and chorus, clearly where the ‘bread is buttered.’ Interestingly, the bridge finds him busting out some bars, embracing gimmickry including pitch-shifted vocals (nice nod to hip-hop). Ultimately “Jonesing” is the perfect, love-longing soulful-pop record that shouldn’t only pique the interest of the LGBT community, but pop music enthusiasts everywhere.

“Doc Martens?”

Have shoes ever sounded as hot as they do in Myylo’s hands on ✓ “Doc Martens”? That’s rhetorical, so, of course not! The stellar “Doc Martens” isn’t really about the shoes, but more about the man that Myylo is digging – “I think I’ll make him fall in love with me.” There’s so much to love about “Doc Martens” – the exuberant production, the tongue-n-cheek songwriting – everything! That said, if you could pinpoint one indisputable selling point, it’s the flawless, ripe falsetto. The vocals are definitely ‘on fire’ here.  

“My whole heart on my blood / Even the air is so fucked up / Every day and every night / I can’t make this shit alright / I’m fucked up on you / For the lack of you.” What more can you say to that but, ‘damn.’ Myylo concludes I’m a Nice Boy expressively with the pained slow jam, “Lack of You.” The most profane record of the EP, it’s clear that the artist is still affected by this relationship, even considering “It’s been four or five years…” Where “Doc Martens” was drenched in piercing falsetto, Myylo opts for more biting, full-fledged vocals on “Lack of You” to capture his high degree of pain.  A couple of f-bombs don’t hurt the cause either, amplifying the drama.

Final Thoughts

In reiteration, I’m a Nice Boy is a pretty ‘nice’ project.  Strike that – it’s an ‘excellent’ project.  All five songs are well-written, superbly-produced, and masterfully performed.  Myylo perfectly delivers the optimal modern pop album that is unafraid to experiment with and incorporate numerous musical cues and styles.  Keep an eye on this ‘Nice Boy’ – he’s totally talented!

Gems: “Cyborg,” “Jonesing” & “Doc Martens”

Myylo Socials: Instagram • Facebook • Twitter • Spotify • YouTube • iTunes

Myylo • I’m a Nice Boy (EP) • Myylo • Release: 3.8.19

Photo Credit: Myylo