The EP is a whirlwind of emotion, as we move from innocence, through confidence, to hesitance and regret, all within the comparatively short space of 32 minutes. Love is the theme, but there is little consistency in the way in which Mac deals with the wider subject. On first listening, Drive Slow may seem somewhat contradictory. ![]() We end the EP on an undeniably human note of regret a far cry from the vitality of earlier on. ![]() There is an emotional rawness and vulnerability as the album comes to its close, culminating in the haunting finale, Change Ya Mind. The penultimate two tracks focus on a more melancholic, reflective note, as Mac laments, ‘I put all my cards out on the table, you ain’t ever gonna show your hand’. But if this is the climax of love then the comedown arrives almost instantly. Mac is truly in his element, as he serenades an unnamed lover over the nonchalant bass. The combination of the thrusting bass, provocative percussion and teasing keys adds a real suggestive quality to the track, while sonically this is the best representation of the musical niche that Mac has formed for himself he cites Stevie Wonder, D’Angelo, and J Dilla as some of his major influences, and we can hear aspects of all three here. This growing confidence leads into the highlight of the album, Show Me. Following on from the sensual Slow Down, Mac playfully flirts with his listeners ‘Gimme slow, but not that slow,’ he murmurs softly, only for us to hear him starting up his van, as he and Innanet James begin their joint feature. Mac’s confidence grows as the album comes towards its midpoint. ‘The Devil’s In The Detail’ exposes the hopeful uncertainty of love, as the glimmering vocals weave seamlessly with the throbbing bassline, in a manner reminiscent of Childish Gambino’s Redbone. Love, Mac is trying to say, is a journey with ecstatic highs and mournful lows. However, this album is not simply thirty minutes of adolescent angst and self-pity at a love scorned. It is this second track, not the first, which sets the themes for the EP love, regret, and the search for peace of mind are recurrent themes throughout. ‘Have I ever told you that I spend my evenings howling to the moon?’, Mac croons to the now minor key piano and skeletal drums. The second track, Calvin’s Joint, immediately sets itself up in opposition to the intro, as familial well-wishing is replaced by lovesickness and a resolve for change. ![]() However, the opening is somewhat misleading. The warmth of his grandmother’s voice is backed by tinkering, syncopated keys and a slow snare, with the opening few seconds coalescing the innocence of youth and the blissful naivety of old age. For such a relative newcomer, Mac plays on the topic of young love with remarkable sensitivity, both emotional and musical, and expresses his personal plight in a way which resonates with his audience.ĭrive Slow begins with a sample of a phone call from Mac’s grandmother wishing him a happy 20 th birthday. ![]() Mac’s sound bridges RnB, soul, hip hop, and jazz into something uniquely his own, and his style lends itself perfectly to the content of the EP. The singer, songwriter, and producer released the EP in August last year to widespread acclaim, and it is easy to see why. On his debut EP, Drive Slow, New York native Mac Ayres shows an emotional maturity far beyond his years, baring his soul through a journey of love and loss, while showcasing strikingly varied musicianship.
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