Milwaukee-based one-man-band artist Jared Gibson is set to make waves this year with Mallard Cafe, his debut EP under the pseudonym Floryence. This 5-track collection is a delightful mix of indie rock bangers that explore the themes of heartbreak, yearning and emotional turmoil.
The EP starts off with Coffee Grinder, which tells the classic story of an awkward guy who winds up in a borderline abusive relationship with a girl seemingly out of his league. The melodic variations of this catchy track perfectly match the way its protagonist gets “turned inside out, upside down and all around” by the lady he’s pursuing.
But the highlight of this release for me was the second track: Ducks. The refrain that goes “you won’t miss me tonight”, coupled with an infectious guitar riff and punchy snares makes for a tune you just can’t get out of your head.
If you’re wondering where ducks come into play, your guess is as good as mine – But that seems to be a common theme across this EP. Mallard Cafe is a production meant to be enjoyed, not deconstructed and critically analyzed.
The next two songs take on a more mature and serious tone, with Tailing Happiness using driving as a metaphor for the aftermath of a heartbreak. Floryence’s songwriting on this track is exceptional, as he uses the vivid imagery of veering off lanes and feeling the impact of an airbag to convey his emotional turmoil.
They say the final stage of grief is acceptance, and that’s the conclusion we get in In another life, Mary Jane. He comes to terms with the fact that their love was never meant to be and imagines what could have been if things went differently.
TRACKS
1. Coffee Grinder
2. Ducks
3. Tailing Happiness
4. In Another Life, Mary Jane
5. Potato Sack Race
This track moves away from the pop-punk sound of the ones preceding it and opts for a synth-heavy pop sound similar to Vampire Weekend. Floryence demonstrates that he’s open to playing around with different styles and has the skills to pull it off as well.
And that brings us to the album’s conclusion, Potato sack race, which returns to a more upbeat indie rock sound. The wordplay on this track is just incredible, with my favourite line being “I’m in a potato sack race with my broken two left feet”, which perfectly captures the disoriented sensation that lasts days following a messy breakup.
These 5 tracks blend together to form a complete narrative, almost like a concept album. The planning, production and composition tells you that while Floryence is a debutante, he is certainly no amateur. This EP was an absolute joy to listen to and I can’t wait to see what this young talent produces next.