EP Review: Grown Up and Lonely by Taylor Bickett
Words by Angelina Singer
As most people relate to the feeling of awkwardness that develops long past the teenage years, rising Nashville-based pop artist Taylor Bickett provides the perfect soundtrack to the weird years past coming-of-age. In her latest EP Grown Up and Lonely, she addresses situational stresses around dating, self-worth, and confidence, all wrapped up in an awareness of the passage of time. Her sound could be described as a bright pop style with an undercurrent of deep sadness that hits hard between the clever lyrics and satisfying audio mixes. After catching the attention of fans through TikTok and other social media platforms with her biggest hit yet “QUARTER LIFE CRISIS”, she’s opened for stars like Laura Marano and Andi Mitchell, capturing the hearts of more grown-up kids at heart who are still looking for their place in this world.
Without further ado, let’s dive into this wonderful audio experience of getting older but never quite growing up (at least not without a second awkward phase). Opening the EP is “embarrassing” – a brutally-honest commentary on the discomforts of the dating process. Muted acoustic chords cognizant of “Lie to Me” by 5 Seconds of Summer open the track and the EP with a texturally stilted sound that gives the listener a sensory experience of what the artist writes about. “Falling in love is so embarrassing / spend two years worried what their parents think / for someone you won’t end up marrying” opens the song with this all-too-relatable idea. Long story short, Bickett reminds listeners that it’s common to fall hard and worry about someone who won’t end up choosing you. Heavenly vocal harmonies drive the point home with a vengeance that you’ll want to experience again and again.
The next tune on the EP dips a toe (or two) into the pop punk genre with “IDIOT!”. This song talks about big feelings and the way two people might not see eye-to-eye. Lyrics like “Everyone and their mother could’ve told me this was more than just a summer” take a retrospective look at a past relationship in progress that never fully developed. It’s poetic, and sad, and real — which is pretty much Bickett’s whole brand at this point. Her songs are built-in with a double punch to the gut that hit in all the right places. Driving beats mixed with half-acoustic and half-electric guitar motifs fill out the emotional soundscape, and anyone listening will relate to the feeling of knowing better but catching feelings anyway.
In the middle of the EP, the artist takes a more angsty-under-the-radar Olivia-Rodrigo spin on things with “you’re not a bad person” which is a bittersweet commentary on the person of interest. It’s peaceful, with more than a hint of frustration disguised under humility. Lyrics like “You’re not a bad person / you’re just a little bit selfish / a little bit lacking in compassion / a little bit borderline sociopathic” lead into the chorus with a stripped-down sonic mix, letting the rich vocal melody and intricate lyrics take center stage. This song is the epitome of sarcasm, and it really opens up by the end. The build-up in this one makes it a stand-out for me, and the underlying ironic message is just the cherry on top.
Next, “love online” is the ballad of the EP, showcasing the artist’s storytelling and stylistic range. Orchestral elements under the lyrics make this song a classy diary entry that hits hard — “I feel like a bad person and they don’t even know me / just a face on a screen”. In the literal sense, it’s a commentary on the nature of online dating and the trials and pitfalls that come with it. While online dating is a great tool and great way to get to know someone, there’s undeniably a lot of stress that comes with it. That might also be why the artist chose to cut this song very abruptly. It’s so pretty, my only complaint is that this poignant track is far too short — but I think that was the whole point. She’s breaking the fourth wall to bring the listener into that indecisive space that she feels in her dating journey. It’s beautiful and raw in its brevity, but I still want to hear more of this beautiful song — and the story that goes along with it.
Wrapping up this dynamic EP is the song that introduced me to Taylor Bickett in the first place: “QUARTER LIFE CRISIS”. With over 25 million Spotify listens, it’s resonated with people — and for good reason. This song pierces the heart of the matter that growing up is insanely difficult — and things often aren’t any better after the awkward teen years. In your twenties, you might think things will get better but instead, you relate more to lyrics like “say I’m settling down but I blacked out at brunch”. With a plucky rhythm guitar and a subtle electric guitar lead riff floating in and out of the mix, this song is so thematically rich. I loved the quick percussive hits on “headache” in the second verse, and the way the pre-choruses add textures that feel stressful at their core. The bridge in this song, is especially powerful (and I’m not going to quote it here — you’ll have to listen to it yourself). But what I will say, is that it beautifully shows the way growing up brings its own brand of problems — and life doesn’t magically fall into place at 18.
Like many other twenty-somethings in their own quarter life crisis, I’m grateful for brutally honest albums like this one. Taylor Bickett refuses to sugarcoat anything, even if her melodies are still sugary-sweet. Listen to Grown Up and Lonely for an EP that will make you feel a lot less alone in the chaos of finding yourself after coming of age has come and gone.
Listen to music by Taylor Bickett on Spotify and make sure to follow her on Instagram to keep up with future releases!