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· Conor Welsch
The Painter, Mo Lowda & the Humble’s latest EP, clocks in at just five tracks, but don’t mistake brevity for minimalism. These are fully formed, road tested songs with emotional weight and compositional muscle. It’s the kind of record that doesn’t need to sprawl because it knows exactly what it wants to say.
In an era where albums are bloated and EPs are treated like warmups, The Painter is something else entirely: direct, purposeful, and deeply confident.
“The Painter” opens the record with atmosphere and restraint. The title track is a slow burn, unfolding in layers rather than pushing toward a chorus. The guitars shimmer without grandstanding. It’s a tone setter that lets tension do the work.
“Postman” is groove-forward and rhythm tight. Equal parts bounce and bite. The vocal delivery leans conversational but never casual. You can hear the band’s live DNA in the way the chorus hits with practiced ease.
“7.31” is the heart of the EP, moody and spacious. Lyrically, it’s cryptic but evocative, suggesting distance and delay, the slow ache of waiting. It’s a standout for its subtlety.
“Sara’s Got Big Plans” is the swagger track. Upbeat, melodic, and built for the stage. It’s the most immediate song here, balancing muscle with charm. You can almost hear the crowd clapping through the bridge.
“Canary” closes the EP with joy. Fun, upbeat, and rhythmically playful. It feels looser than what precedes it, but no less intentional. A reminder that resolution can come with a grin, not a whisper.
Mo Lowda’s strength has always been their cohesion. These songs don’t sound like demos or throwaways. They sound like decisions. The rhythm section is locked-in. The vocals land with emotional clarity. The production is warm but not overly polishedenough space to let tones bleed without losing punch.
There’s a lot of talk about bands who “sound better live.” The Painter proves that studio records can carry that same pulse, without overplaying it.
The Painter is a short record that plays long. There’s no filler, no wasted motion. Just five songs that sound like they’ve already earned their spot on the setlist.
It’s proof that Mo Lowda doesn’t need 14 tracks or a concept arc to say something meaningful. Just a few songs. Played well. Pressed tight.
Best Tracks: “7.31,” “Sara’s Got Big Plans,” “Canary”
For Fans Of: The Districts, Dawes, The Wild Reeds, Rayland Baxter