The Castellows released their new EP, “A Little Goes A Long Way” on February 9, a project that truly showcases the trio of sisters’ knack for storytelling. The seven track EP is infused with gutsy and simultaneously cute instrumentals, lyrical reflections on the bittersweet realities of love, and a strong aura of confidence.
This project truly seems like a group of artists coming into their own and becoming mature young women. Tracks feature topics like growing up, learning from past heartaches, and dreams of romance. Lyrically the songs are quite vulnerable and many of the songs feel like they were born from intimate diary confessionals. The honesty shown throughout the project makes the stories told resonate more with the audience, likely drawing them back to listen again and again.
The band also sounds self-assured in their vocal performance. Their tone and technique is always on point, while also not sounding overly produced and sucking the soul out of the performance. The melody is always sung with passion and a slick ease and harmonies that are built into the tracks enhance the audience's listening experience.
The track list starts out with the memorable title track. The song starts out with an electric guitar with a brassy-type sound enhancement on it, making the track seem more sonically raw and gritty. Vocally, the song has a consistent quality and is quite clever about at what points the band chooses to add harmonies, such as when a choir was mentioned. Lyrically the song is about the ups and downs of being a human in love and wanting a partner to put more effort into a relationship. “You may not see me when I’m right here/ But you’re gonna notice when I’m gone,” is sung boldly.
“Heartline Hill,” is a beautifully haunting song about the grief one endures after being deceived in love. The pop-paced county track is a classic waiting to happen. Alongside a stacked instrumental of acoustic and electric guitar and drums, and energetic drums, the track has a rustic banjo that balances the song’s instrumental makeup nicely.
“The Part Where You Break My Heart” is a heartbreak anthem with a build similar to a Carrie Underwood ballad. The verses are a soft, quiet, and acoustic spark that builds into a sonic explosion during the chorus. “You strung me along/ You led me on/Selling me pretty little lies about forever,” is sung soberly about a dishonest lover.
Despite a realm of heartbreak being a theme on this EP, love is not hopeless as shown on track “Cowboy Kind Of Love.” The song is more lowkey and chill in nature, a pleasant rest stop from the high energy project that allows the bolder tracks to shine even more. “Cowboy Kind Of Love” is beautiful in its own right, especially with the optimistic and mystical thematic topic and the beautiful softly plucked electric guitar that leads listeners through the melody. The song also features a nice build up of more intentional beats of guitars and an additional set of drums and louder, harmonious vocals. “You’re like a willow in the storm/ I want to get caught up/ I want a cowboy kind of love,” is sung dreamily about wanting a fantasy-type romance.
In a project that highlights the realities of growing up, The Castellows seemingly acknowledge how with age comes knowledge with the smooth and addictive “Hurricane.” The penultimate track talks about an old man weathering a storm that most fear with ease. Instrumentally the track is the project’s most unique. The song has a booming drum that takes over and a funky banjo beat that adds an acoustic element to the track. The highlight of the song though is the stunning alto vocals placed on display. The band truly reveals their prowess while singing in a lower tone during this song. “Hurricane” sounds so natural and easygoing, while also being beautifully layered and complex.
“A Little Goes A Long Way” is an album bold in its softness and storytelling. Each track enhances the overall listening experience and not for a second in this project does anything sound like filler. The 22-minute EP is a great introductory point for listeners not familiar with the band. It is impossible to not be excited about what these sisters do next after listening to this powerful project.
Written by Sarah Payne