poolblood is steadily becoming a powerhouse in the Toronto music scene and beyond. The indie pop singer-songwriter Maryam Said has had a busy few years, with their debut album that came out in January 2023 and a stretch of North America touring in the past year.
The short but sweet EP, theres_plenty_music_to_go_around.zip is the continuation of their previous record mole, consisting of three songs; two new tracks as well as an alternative recording of the hit “Twinkie,” the lead single from their debut. The only thing that would make this EP better was if it were longer.
It starts out with “wringer,” a multi-layered bop with the undertone of longing. The main hook has Said asking their beloved “where does it live?” as if to ask where these deeper feelings hide inside. Although the instrumentals are those to bop your head to, the lyrics are melancholic making it an animated contrast. There are jangled remnants almost as if it was a song in the vault from The Cranberries’ debut, but poolblood has a way of making a track their own by not being afraid to genre-bend beyond the standard indie pop/rock. This is a song that everyone can relate to whether by the prose or sound. I for one connected with it wholeheartedly.
“resin” embodies subtlety in sound, but its message is as strong and explicit as its namesake of a substance used to make a secure adhesive. The lyrics have clear intentions with the verses beginning in similes “like the wind,” “like the birds,” “like the forest…” They are all in reference to nature and its capacity to exist in one way or another. The main guitar hook is at the heart of this song as if it is the resin to make this song solid in combination with the added instrumentals that gently pick up and down in volume. It’s a discrepancy between a very subdued crescendo and decrescendo that flow beautifully with their voice.
This version of “twinkie” is a slower rendition recorded in the west end of the city at Tibet Studio Records, backed by a music video of the in-house performance recording. This version has manifested itself into a softer piano ballad instead of the upbeat original. The strings complement the piano melody in the most sublime way. Here, Said is able to wrap up the world of mole with this lowkey version. It is a song of starting over and embracing change when in fear of how fast the times can change. When transitioning into a new phase, there is hope and renewed energy in a clean slate but with that comes a hint of melancholy of a former life. They easily identify these situated emotions in this song and to hear the two versions is to feel both these harmoniously, seeing both sides of the same coin.
poolblood continues to be a significant storyteller and never ceases to surprise listeners with their catchy riffs and creative narratives suitable for all to go around.
