Irish singer-songwriter Maria Kelly has now released her debut EP The Things I Should. It’s a raw and emotionally exposing collection of tracks and is easily her most honest release to date.

The four tracks tell a story of Maria’s struggle with self-expression and how you can lose a part of yourself when you try too hard to please others. Of the EP, she explains: “these four songs are written about four different personal experiences, where a lack of honest expression at the outset had created a much bigger problem in the long run”.

The track opens with ‘Torn Into Two’ and really sets the tone for the rest of the EP. The gentle finger-picking style of guitar accompanied by Maria’s fragile vocal tone throughout really clears some space for the listener to hear the sincerity in her lyrical messages – it’s a perfect arrangement.

The EP continues with its raw sound in ‘Far Below’ and ‘Where’s the Worth’, and there’s something deeply intimate about hearing calloused fingers sliding up and down the strings of a guitar. It makes the listener feel as though they’re in the same room, hearing the songs being played for the first time.

Title track ‘The Things I Should’ has a wonderful string arrangement that’s the cherry on top of the EP, and the addition of an electric guitar in ‘Pretend’ creates a stunningly climactic ending.

Maria has already played shows in both the UK and Ireland supporting James Vincent McMorrow and Orla Gartland, and has just finished touring with Ailbhe Reddy.

The Things I Should is available to stream and download now.

Melody Johns