Marston and Baldi combine indie pop melodies with electric guitar textures and nostalgic new wave influences on their five-track EP “Outside.” The 20-minute project explores the complicated space between wanting to escape and seeking somewhere to belong. The release is a collaboration between Italian guitarist, songwriter and producer Giorgio Baldi and American-born songwriter Matthew Marston, and is informed by their combined musical experience to create something that feels personal without losing its wider appeal. As we move through its emotional landscape there is a familiar tension between holding on to the known and risking the discovery of something new. “Outside” is about those moments when relationships get complicated, the familiar becomes too small and it takes a little bit of courage to find ourselves again. The EP’s identity is engaging, with a blend of melodic warmth and restless energy.
The title track “Outside” is a tone-setter for the project, with a sound that’s melodically accessible and emotionally tentative at once. A longing for something beyond the known, still wondering what lies beyond. It’s a fitting overture to the EP’s themes of belonging and personal freedom, setting the mood without burdening the experience. That feeling carries into “Tell Me Something,” which focuses on the difficulties of communication and the necessity of honesty in a complex relationship. Its location adds another dimension to the story, creating the frustration of wanting answers but not knowing what to say. The song shows the misunderstandings and the back-and-forth conversations that can make two people feel more estranged than it shows connection as something that comes easily. All of these opening moments together create an emotional basis that feels relatable and grounded.
The journey continues with “Tears Of Joy,” a title that hints at the beautiful contradictions at the heart of the project. The song’s placement allows the EP to make space for the more tender side of human connection, where happiness and vulnerability often live closer together than we believe. It’s a welcome change from vexation to the possibility of emotional release and a reminder that even difficult experiences can lead to moments worth holding on to. “Hope In The Darkness” takes that feeling and sharpens it, focusing on the idea of perseverance. There’s something compelling about putting uncertainty and optimism side by side, especially when you consider the EP’s wider message about finding direction after bouts of emotional confusion. The selection ends with “Take Me Down,” another note of submission and vulnerability, and a perfect fit for a project that continually explores the risks of allowing ourselves to be changed. Through these five songs Marston and Baldi paint a thoughtful portrait of relationships, self-discovery, and the courage to move on. “Outside” is an accessible indie pop release that finds beauty in the contradictions of life and reminds us that often the path back to ourselves begins with stepping outside what we already know.
0 Comments