Independent (label)
30 January 2016 (released)
11 January 2016
With vocalist Molly Anna taking the lead in the songwriting stakes, with Mike Hukins providing production, Ghosts is a truly intimate and revelatory affair. Molly Anna clearly has had issues that she has needed to vent and Ghosts is all the better for her unafraid, unashamed honesty.
Although she may not boast the world's greatest vocal, her distinctive whine is not without appeal. A mesmerizing marriage of Paramore's Hayley Williams and Evanescence's Amy Lee, Molly Anna has a slight jazz edge to way she soars up and down her range as she delivers her emotional bullets.
At its strongest, Ghosts delivers 'The Gun', a song which explores Molly Anna's own flaws. Having consciously hurt those close to her, she reflects on her actions with a heartbreaking realness that very few artists will allow themselves to expose to their listeners. Paired with a folk-metal backing, their own comparison to Alanis meets Incubus rings very true.
Equally notable is 'Horrorshow', which is understated in delivery when compared to the rest of the charged EP. Allowing the storyteller within to explore core imagery, Molly Anna goes in to description overload and it proves a winning formula as the dizzying emotions she experience come to life for the listener.
The explosive 'Villain', which was released in conjunction with The Samaritans last year, is Ghosts' most intense but most revealing offering. As Anna Molly opens up about her biggest fears, it becomes clear that this is an artist using her music as a release. While her pent up pain is hard to feel, the magic of music allows Villain to vindicate your own misgivings as Molly Anna unleashes hers.
EP closer Tonight provides the collections only jarring moment. Although it is apparent that the five tracks of Ghosts are Molly Anna's journey from anguish to acceptance, the light tone with which its thanks are delivered feel premature when delivered after the stripped back reality of Horrorshow.
Although Ghosts might have worked better as an album, with further songs to complete Molly Anna's escape from her inner demons, it is nevertheless an impressive introduction to a duo who are striking in their raw, real approach to music.
