Review: Maeta “Habits” EP
I should have known that discovering Maeta was going to be EXACTLY what it was cracked up to be. Shortly after starting RNB Nerd in June, I scoured social media to create a roster of the BEST R&B music creatives to follow. One name and project that I would continually see across Instagram stories, grid posts, and even sponsored ads was Habits by Maeta. It took me some time to get it into rotation because there is always so much new music. In my opinion, it all deserves a chance to be experienced and felt the way the artist intended to. When I eventually listened to the album while cleaning my bathroom, Sending My Love was the song that stopped everything. I was blown away and continued to immerse myself in the project and genuinely feel better for it. You tell me, what music does that these days? The project is something that I can say I am hopelessly obsessed with and am thoroughly captivated by what was done here. Check out my take on each track below.
Teen Scene ft. Buddy - Have you ever heard something and just knew what it was without needing to look? Teen Scene is quintessential KAYTRANADA. The melodic background vocals that set the foundation for the song next to the pulsating thump take you to the world that KAYTRANADA is known for creating. The effects on Maeta’s voice immediately paint the amazing storytelling in nostalgia. I am immediately transported back to my adolescent years, doing all the things explained throughout the verses. The production clutches the filtered vocals through to the end and midway we get the rap verse from Buddy that gives the track a nice, slick tempo change even if just for a moment.
Toxic ft. BEAM – On Toxic you quickly settle into the misty vibe that coats some of the more stripped-down tracks. The echo on Maeta’s falsetto create a soundscape filled with melodies that dip and dive, carried out by matching inflections and vocal runs. Right into the first verse Maeta’s voice transforms into a ray of light, flowing along as echoed reverberation that is fragile and bold. But Maeta is very human. This can be seen in her toxic confessions like, “Sometimes I lay up on my ex, just to get you jealous” and “I'll love you when I got the time”. BEAM comes into the second verse and matches her run for run with his smokey and raspy delivery. This collaboration feels perfect, with the two going back and forth describing a relationship that isn’t the greatest but one that they trust the most. Sounds toxic to me. The track ends with a great guitar feature, giving the song just a bit more grit and soul that is the cherry on top.
Habits – The title track perfectly embodies the project. Marrying complex themes through describing a situation that is filled with love, sex, frustration, and miscommunication. The track helps balance out the pacing of the album at this point, making everything flow seamlessly. Which is something that cannot be ignored. The sequencing feels sincere, taking the listener on something of a cinematic journey from habit to habit.
Bitch Don’t Be Mad – THIS is Maeta’s hot take from the EP and she expresses it gorgeously too. The relatable storytelling continues with this track. There is a lot happening for our main character, after the separation from someone who didn’t know how to act. The song switches focus from the ex-lover to the “new girl” who has some hating to work through. BDBM can really apply to everyone. This song stands out among the others for its more traditional sound elements and stripped-down vocal production. Maeta is vulnerable here, without the progressive and sleek elements that the other tracks have production wise.
Sending My Love – In what sounds like a natural follow up to BDBM, “Sending” starts with some banging drums and lovely lyrics soaked in sexual innuendo. Maeta keeps it simple and clean during the first half of the song before really flipping it upside down. The song fades to Maeta’s voice with a gentler vocoder that amps up the otherworldly element of this song. If Sabrina Claudio/Janine/FourTet had a lovechild, this is what I envision it sounding like. The background music begins to flesh out with ambient sounds set against a throbbing beat. The music is abstract, like opening a door and not knowing where it leads but you keep going because each step leaves you more intrigued. The production is romantic, vulnerable, and SO DAMN BEAUTIFUL. The tempo changes along with the progression of the song into what feels like a sonic rollercoaster. Moving faster and faster into the direction of an ethereal world that feels like nothing but sophisticated sexiness.
Gift – Suspended in the air, the tone of Gift is set by the twinkling piano keys. The sound resembles lights off in the distance. The music plays along to lyrics of complete devotion, “You’re my gift from heaven above, I don’t doubt you baby, through the flames, through the fire, through the hell, found the prize”. The melody is understated, it almost becomes more rhythmic and stronger after a few listens. Especially the chorus, once it grabs a hold of you, it won’t let go.
Doesn’t Mean A Thing (ft. Leven Kali) - What a way to close the project, on a cliffhanger of sorts. Is Maeta better now at the end? I don’t know. Her crooning in the last minute of the track hurts beautifully, the sound of a soul pouring out the last bit of what is left for someone who meant everything to her. The opening drums are quickly blanketed in Maeta’s sweet voice, right before the beat is fleshed out. These personal and relatable lyrics are easily understood, unrequited love and giving oneself to a situation that is one-sided. It is not too often that you hear a song like this, and we have been seeing more of them. But none as beautifully delivered as this. Leven Kali adds nicely to this closing track, something that solidifies the overall emotional resonance that is present across the entire EP.
There was something instant and immediate with this project. Accessible but progressive, everything is simple, balanced, and beautiful. The features add life to each track and the melodies are unique yet blend effortlessly. Real and relatable, this is EP is a solid follow up to Maeta’s 2019 debut and showcases the fact that Maeta already sounds like an established artist. Maeta has a voice that stopped me dead in my tracks and I have no doubt she will do the same for you, you will NOT be disappointed.
