Diving into emotionally deep waters, British indie-folk musician Matilda Mann expresses her vulnerability and unwavering talent on her latest EP, You Look Like You Can’t Swim, released July 14, 2023. In 2019, Mann released her first EP, If That Makes Sense, leading to a sold-out headline show at London’s Servant’s Jazz Quarters— supported by artists The Staves, Beabadoobee, and Arlo Parks.
You Look Like You Can’t Swim opens with the delicate melodies and intimate lyrics of ‘The Day That I Met You.’ The track is an honest body of work detailing losing faith in love and gaining it back. Matilda sings, “And though I’m still battered and bruised / I forgave the world the day that I met you.” Mann’s serene vocals alongside acoustic guitars capture the raw atmosphere of the nearly 14-minute long record.
The second track, “In Plain Sight,” is a romantic ballad that centers on meeting the right person at the right time. “I was yours from the beginning / Now my world is only spinning for you now,” she sings. Paired with Mann’s heartfelt lyricism and gentle guitar lines, listeners are reminded of a warm, timeless love.
“Margaux,” the third track, invites audiences into how she’s coping with the absence of someone she used to know. Through this nostalgic experience, Mann created a slow tune emphasized by the ache in her whisper-like voice. In the chorus, Mann’s “We both know there’s no one else to blame / Margaux left and nothing felt the same,” pulls at audiences’ heartstrings.
Th EP closes with title track, “You Look Like You Can’t Swim,” which is an endearing finale full of intensity and passion. In the first verse, Mann opens up about her anxieties on taking up space in the world. In a hushed tone, she sings, “I never seem to know exactly what’s my place / And I’m just sick of being honest.” Matilda Mann’s You Look Like You Can’t Swim is a short yet honest record held together by dreamy and raw soundscapes.