Piper Connolly’s song “she’s too much!” presents the difficulties of growing up as a confident and sharp alt-pop/pop-rock piece, encompassing themes of self-assurance, insecurity, young love, betrayal, humour and heartbreak. In the six tracks, Connolly does not attempt to resolve those contradictions but lets them clash in a way that seems direct and personal. The song “beautiful life” begins the EP with a feeling of excitement, whereas “body bag” brings a heavier pop-rock flavour and shows the range of emotions contained in the project.
“Bubblegum with razorblades” is at the heart of the release and has a deliberately contrasting character. Although the alt-pop version seems sweet at first sight, it has a sharper emotional impact, thus producing the tension indicated by its title. The catchy chorus gives the song a immediate impression, while its emotional intensity ensures that it doesn’t come across as harmless or excessively refined. This balance between vulnerability and strength gives the song a definite identity within the EP and is in keeping with the general concept of “she’s too much!”
The album then proceeds to deal with ‘unapologetic’, then moves on to ‘joyride’ and ‘better than this’, thus finishing a set of songs concerned with discovering who you are while all around you and within you is continually changing. Rather than offering one particular view of the process of growing up, the songs explore it from various emotional perspectives. The sharp hooks, the taut guitars and the emotional directness help to link these contrasting sections, resulting in a unified sense of progression without losing the individual character of each song.
What is clear in “she’s too much!” is its readiness to view intensity as something one should embrace rather than conceal. The songs reflect the uncertainty and excitement involved in getting used to one’s own identity, while at the same time recognising the consequences, confusion and emotional difficulties that accompany this process. The fact that Connolly has concentrated on ambition, emotion, humour, love and heartbreak gives the EP a strong sense of individuality. “She’s too much!” thus becomes a straightforward statement of self-expression and allows each of its six songs to be loud, vulnerable, playful and fearless.
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