Maeve Steele, Honeyland Review

Honeyland, released on January 19, 2024, by Los Angeles-based pop-folk singer-songwriter Maeve Steele, is a captivating exploration of femininity, nostalgia, and self-transformation. Produced by Daniel Loumpouridis, known for his work on Louis The Child’s “It’s Strange,” the six-track EP signifies a considerable artistic leap for Maeve, showcasing her deepened artistry.

The opening track, “Honeyland (Intro),” sets a tone of introspective serenity. The slow swelling of synths, interspersed with light acoustic guitar and reversed guitar sounds, envelops the listener in a dreamlike state. Maeve’s reverb-soaked vocals are introduced amidst this ethereal backdrop, perfectly segueing into the rest of the EP with an ascending harp arpeggio.

“How to Run” emerges with a folksy acoustic strumming pattern, gradually layered with multiple guitar textures. Maeve’s voice, placed slightly back in the mix, exudes a delicate balance of fragility and emotion. The song’s structure and production choices create a soundscape where her vocals swim, delivering a poignant sense of yearning.

In “Strangers in the Garden,” Maeve’s longest track, her voice melds with finely crafted piano loops and sound effects. The entry of bass and drums fuses pop and folk-rock elements, demonstrating a mature songwriting format. Each section is distinct, marked by unique sounds and textures.

“Lorena” shifts gears to a more indie rock feel, featuring a chunky guitar pattern and Maeve’s contained vocals. The track’s dreamy texture, enhanced by backing vocals and sustained synths, adds depth to its simple, yet effective structure. The suggestion for a more developed song structure hints at potential unexplored depths in Maeve’s songwriting.

“Arcade” showcases Maeve’s most varied vocal range, including expressive glissandos. The production intricately builds a soundscape reflecting the lyrical content, with Maeve’s voice consistently central amidst a sea of reverb and varying sounds.

The EP concludes with “If We Grew Wings / Wings (Outro),” a steady indie pop-rock track. Maeve’s use of falsetto is particularly striking, adding a layer of ethereal quality. The song’s dynamic structure, along with dreamy backing vocals and synths, provides a fitting end to the EP, encapsulating its overarching themes.

Throughout Honeyland, Maeve Steele draws inspiration from her Bay Area roots and Nashville songwriting experience, blending folk, Americana, and indie influences into a unique “Americana-noir” style. Her lyrical content, reminiscent of the literary prose of Joan Didion and Maggie Nelson, is deeply personal yet universally relatable. The EP is a testament to Maeve’s growth as an artist, pushing her out of her comfort zone to explore new emotional and musical territories.

Honeyland is a journey through Maeve Steele’s artistic psyche. Each track is a chapter in her story of transition from girlhood to womanhood, painted with a palette of nostalgia, introspection, and emotional depth. The EP is a solid step in Maeve’s career, showcasing her ability to blend intimate storytelling with captivating melodies, and promises even greater artistic heights in her future endeavors.