beabadoobee - Loveworm (2019)

With each EP she unveils, Beabadoobee continues to refine and evolve her sound and present something entirely new. Her latest EP Loveworm is another step forward in the right direction for the 18-year-old, who is in the process of finishing up school. Best listened to as a complete EP, each track appears as if it were a page straight out of her diary — every word is weighted by the pain and aches of love, as well as the light at the end of the tunnel when it's over.

Loveworm opens up on a sombre note with ‘Disappear’, which is about feeling abandoned by someone you once trusted and loved. A melancholic chord progression opens up the song — words that reflect on the relationship then follow, “Kiss me on my neck Tell me all your fears”. After the opening line, the track explores the disappointment felt after being left without much explanation or closure. Despite the heaviness of her words, her vocals remain airy and exquisite throughout its duration. Loveworm then moves into ‘1999’, which is an honest and raw depiction of the pain involved in letting go of someone. It possesses a cinematic quality, with the instrumentals building momentum as the track progresses. Stand out words from '1991' include, “You said I fucked up and ruined your life, little did you know you ruined mine.”

Unlike the two tracks that came before it, ‘Apple Cider’ is about the fun part of infactuation and falling in love — including the goosebumps and excitement of a crush. ‘Apple Cider’ is the type of song you're playing while you're getting ready or when lost in a daydream. It has an infectious melody that’s instantly good for the soul and will leave you with a smile.

The EP takes another turn with her emotive track ‘Ceilings’, which is a reflective offering from Loveworm. As you listen to the track, you can imagine her looking up at her ceiling from her bed, contemplating both what’s around her and the ways of the world. Next up is ‘Angel’, which features some grunge elements — this style is something Beabadoobee does incredibly well, and hopefully, it's a sound she continues to draw upon on future releases.

The EP closes with ‘Soren’, which reads like a poem. Backed by light strumming, her words are full of warmth, particularly lyrics like, “The green in your eyes are like the leaves in the summer, and it changes with the weather”. Dedicated to her boyfriend, ‘Soren’ is a charming finale to the EP.

Beabadoobee continues to show growth in her songwriting and Loveworm is a memorable and poignant release by an artist who is set to take the year by storm.