Tkay Maidza — Last Year Was Weird, Vol. 3 — EP Review
Hip Hop | Electronic | Pop
Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Music
My first experience listening to the Zimbabwean-born Australian singer-songwriter Tkay Maidza was with the release of her 2020 EP, Last Year Was Weird, Vol. 2 (which is a title that holds much more relevance in 2021). I feel that it was through this project that a lot of people, as well as myself, discovered her.
I found the aforementioned EP to be incredibly well-crafted and brought an incredible variety of great tunes with different moods. For sure, it was one of my favourite EPs of last year.
Given that we had two years between the first and seconds instalments of Last Year Was Weird, it was a pleasant surprise to see the third and final instalment arrive so soon. Having said that though, the previous releases of tracks like “Syrup” and “Cashmere” were clearly a sign that something was on the way.
Despite being released barely a year after its predecessor, the consistent enjoyability of that previous project meant that my hopes for Last Year Was Weird, Vol. 3 were still high.
However, the previous EP wasn’t the only thing that had me excited for this new project. Both of the aforementioned teaser tracks were incredible listens in their own right, and both gave a sense that Last Year Was Weird Vol. 3 was going to be just as versatile of a project as Part.2. And if not that, it would be even more so.
Vol. 3 carries a similar tracklist and duration as the previous two instalments of Last Year Was Weird, which feels nothing short of ideal by EP standards. And as if Tkay Maidza hadn’t achieved this already with her last project, she goes even further to really bring the quality to match the quantity.
As I had predicted, we also get a brilliant mixture of moods. When you compare hard-hitting bangers like “Syrup” and “Kim” to blissful bops like “Onto Me” and “Cashmere”, you would initially think that these types of styles would clash on an EP. However, Tkay effortlessly manages to find a way to bring everything together with her signature attitudes and aesthetics.
While I would argue that Vol. 2 brought a more blatantly summery feel than its new addition to the EP series, Vol. 3 still holds its own as a very colourful and vibrant album, albeit one that feels more spring-like. However, in a weird twist of fate, this kind of aesthetic manages to perfectly compliment the unusual summer we’ve been having, so I hold no complaints.
And speaking of holding no complaints, every single track on this thing was an enjoyable experience. And given the diversity, from tranquil, to heavy, to melancholy, Last Year Was Weird, Vol. 3 really holds the substance of a studio album, which is always the best thing to say about an EP. I recall saying something similar about Tkay Maidza’s last effort. However, it rings even clearer with this brand new EP.
Tkay Maidza continues to truly stride as a dark horse in her craft. And if this is your first instance of knowing who this artist is, I would strongly recommend giving her a listen. You can thank me later.
The Last Year Was Weird series truly goes out with a bang, with what I confidently feel could be the best EP of the year!
Favourite Tracks: Eden | Syrup | Kim | Cashmere
Least Favourite Track: n/a
4AD Ltd
Enjoyment: ★★★★★ | Memorability: ★★★★★ | Atmosphere: ★★★★★
Uniqueness: ★★★★★ | Satisfaction: ★★★★★ | Narrative: ★★★★
