Myylo, I’m a Nice Boy Too | Album Review 💿

On his third EP, I’m a Nice Boy Too, Myylo delivers a blend of electrifying pop bops & pitch-perfect, must-hear, socially relevant gems.

“My music is pretty preoccupied with boys and love.” Certainly, an honest, ‘straight-to-the-point’ response from Nashville-based, LGBTQ pop artist Myylo (Michael Myylo Lewis).  He’s not lying. Amplifying his response, his writes truly terrific songs about boys.  The aforementioned quote is lifted from my interview with this incredible musician, characterized colorfully as “sitting at the nexus point of folk lyricism, pop production, and boyish relatability. Following his awesome EP, I’m A Nice Boy, Myylo brings the heat once more on I’m a Nice Boy Too, delivering a blend of electrifying pop bops and ‘pitch-perfect,’ must-hear, socially relevant gems.

“I Can’t Help but Look”

Opening “vibrant, tongue-in-cheek bop” ✓ “I Can’t Help but Look” (co-written with Dillon Deski and Kell Egan), is charming from the get-go. The premise is pretty clear-cut: Myylo is checking out a total hottie. The resultant ear candy is ‘on-point.’  Interestingly, “I Can’t Help but Look” was influenced Cardi B (chord structures from Invasion of Privacy), boybands (melodies), and Eminem (nasal delivery, Dr. Dre “sonics”). Musically ‘woke AF,’ it’s the vocals and lyrics that make “I Can’t Help but Look” radiate. Sigh, it’s not every day one manages to reference David Beckham and kombucha! Then, there are blessed moments of sexual innuendo such as “…Sippin’ Sunny D, you need them calories / I need that Vitamin ‘D’.”  The biggest reason why this is a rousing success is because you picture Myylo beaming as he sings, totally taking that sneak peak, and constructing an elaborate, relatable fantasy.

“Sad Boys”

“Hug all the sad boys
Chilling in their Gucci sweaters
Shrug off the sad boy
You won’t feel this way forever.”

Myylo highlights the often-neglected topic of male sadness on the succinct ✓ “Sad Boys”. The lo-fi record tackles depression and explores the way that masculinity allows or doesn’t allow men to deal with sadness, as well as serving as a counterpoint to dads who tell their kids to “man up” and a culture that frequently proclaims that “crying is for girls.” “Sad Boys” places emphasis on the lyrical content, mood, and theme.

Myylo has much to say, beginning with the chromosomal reference of the first verse, to expressing sadness as men, something society so often frowns upon. He offers solutions and the mindset on the second verse/section and highlights the importance of support for males going through issues that can cause depression. Ultimately, “Sad Boys,” previously featured on 11 Songs Where the Sadness is Legit and 11 Awesome Songs That Tickled My Fancy in October 2019, does a superb job of tackling a topic that seems to be ‘swept under the rug.’

“I Saw a Boy at the Party”

“I saw a boy at the party
Hair waving like a tsunami
Eyes looking so melancholy
I want him to want me.” 

Following the depressed nature of “Sad Boys,” Myylo lightens the mood on the bright, dreamy pop of “I Saw a Boy at the Party.”  The sole record that wasn’t released prior to I’m a Nice Boy Too, it serves as welcome contrast, showing the versatility of the artist.  A throwback joint with 80s sensibilities written all over it, “I Saw a Boy at the Party” explores desire and infatuation.  Despite the fact that Myylo “loves him,” it’s totally complicated.  How does he approach him? Is he gay or straight? So many unknowns… “Should I get him a tequila? Tequila,” Myylo asks, continuing, “Ask him if he’s into chicos or chicas?” Besides great production and vocals, once again, the crowning achievement is the songwriting, particularly the themes explored from a non-heterosexual perspective.

“Skinny Boys”

On ✓ 🤩 “Skinny Boys”, Myylo pens ‘a body positivity anthem for boys everywhere.’ This is encouragement and empowerment for boys lacking that perfect body.  So many times, we hear about body positivity from a feminine perspective, but with men it’s a gray area.

“‘Skinny Boys’ is a body positivity anthem made for the boys who don’t have and don’t need to have Thor’s abs, Bat Man’s pecs, or Aquaman’s shoulders to love themselves.”

Throughout the verses, Myylo depicts the feelings of inferiority that many men have regarding their bodies, but don’t readily admit.  He allows himself to be vulnerable, something that’s relatable to any man who experiences the same issues.  The chorus is the crowning achievement, where the urban-pop sound really pops, with a sick trap beat, hella catchy lyrics, and stellar stacked harmonies:

“Give it up for the skinny boys
Give it up for the chunky boys
‘Cause we’re gonna have so much fun
Not give a fuck about anyone…
Never let ‘em steal your joy, joy, joy.”

What he’s saying is true – why should anybody “give a fuck about what anyone” thinks about their body? Not only is “Skinny Boys” a surefire bop, it’s surefire bop with superb, empowering, and atoning songwriting.

“Tuck Your Head Under the Covers”

“Just tuck your head under the covers
You know I got you covered when you need me
Tuck your head under the covers you know you got someone
Who’ll never leave you behind.”

Myylo concludes I’m a Nice Boy Too enjoyably with “Tuck Your Head Under the Covers.”  The final single released prior to the EP is the sole collaborative record, bringing the must-hear JORDY along for this contemporary pop ride.  Yet another incredibly thoughtful moment, both of these gifted artists capture depression and suppression from the gay male perspective.  Myylo tackles the fear of inferiority and a possible lack of acceptance, singing, “Afraid your mom isn’t open / To loving everything you are / … I’ll be honest I don’t know if it’s gonna be okay / It breaks my heart that you’re broken” As for JORDY, he focuses more on suffering through the LGBTQ experience silently, singing, “Cause I don’t really want to talk about / All the boys that I’ve needed to hide / Changing my voice and clothes yeah I’ve compromised.” It’s a fitting coda to say the least. 

Final Thoughts 

As aforementioned, ultimately, Myylo delivers a satisfying blend of electrifying pop bops and pitch-perfect, must-hear, socially relevant gems on I’m a Nice Boy Too.  Each of the five songs brings something that’s worthwhile to the table, no questions asked.  I’m a Nice Boy Too checks off boxes vocally, musically (regarding production), but importantly, it checks off boxes in regard to songwriting.  The themes explored appear far too seldom.  It’s awesome to see Myylo taking the reins and making sure that the grey area are properly addressed and explored.

✓ Gems: “I Can’t Help but Look,” “Sad Boys” &  🤩 “Skinny Boys”

Myylo • I’m a Nice Boy Too (EP) • Myylo • Release: 1.3.20

Photo Credit: Myylo