51. EP Review of Start Again by Madyson Left

Originally Published October 6th, 2024

About the Artist

Madyson Left‘s Spotify bio says he is “a singer songwriter and producer based in Nashville, TN. On Instagram, he says he is a “store associate at Borgin and Burke.” He has a few posts, even a few promoting his debut release. But, not much else. He doesn’t seem very interested in talking about himself. I, on the other hand, am very interested in talking about him and his new EP, Start Again.

About the Album

“Start Again” is a 5 song pop rock, alternative extended play that released on October 2nd, 2024. It has a runtime of a little more than 21 minutes. Stylistically, it is comparable to that of the coveted Album of the Year Grammy winner, Harry Styles. It features Madyson Left on vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards, and other accompanying instrumental parts. There are synthetic, ambient tones that fill sound space as well. 

About the Music

Start Again has a root feel of pop rock and alternative but each track nods towards a different genre. 

Stressin leans more towards a pop sound, with a dash of R&B. Leading in with a piano part with a reverse effect, it transitions to a keyboard part that is either playing through a rhoads effect or it has a similar soundscape to it. Left’s vocals come in with the transition and as the chorus comes in, a very subtle and crunchy guitar gives emphasis to the rhythmic flow of the song; building the intensity. The second verse introduces a kick drum on the downbeat of the song. More percussions come in for the second chorus. There are backing vocal parts that are heavily implemented with effects; pitch control, reverb, delay, echo, and reverse. The leading vocals are mostly clean but do have some complimentary reverb and echo effects. 

Prodigal Son, features a guitar part with the 1,000 yard stare of a sad folk song. It even leans a little into country music. It’s comparable to some of Bon Iver's more acoustic work. In addition to the guitar part, there is a very subtle percussion part and a steel guitar in the background. The backing vocals have a sort of mechanical effect to them, but it is very subtle. 

The Month of May Is a piano instrumental that says more than a page full of lyrics could convey. It has a chorus effect, with the leading part panned over just a bit to the left. It is mostly arpeggiated, and played at a legato. There is what sounds like an announcement at a train station playing in the background, heavily distorted. There is also a heavy white noise layered in as well as the soft sound of rain occupying the empty space. By a Thread begins with a verse that hints at desperation. It just features piano and Left’s vocal part. As the bridge leads into the chorus, it introduces a cello part and takes more of a ballad feel. As the chorus comes in, a violin accompanies the cello, and a bass drum part pulses into the mix. The second verse has the biggest transitional feel of the song, as it features a crunchy electric guitar part and a vocal part that sails over the instrumental part like Bono has famously exhibited a talent for with U2. The drums are utilizing a full kit, though they are not being overly utilized. After the second chorus, everything drops, except for the piano and vocals, for a tag into the final chorus then Left’s vocals bring everything back for the end of the song. 

Lydia features an acoustic part that is saturated in roots/bluegrass music. Left’s vocals flow more stylistically with R&B. As the second verse comes in, there are additional instrumental elements that layer the empty space and more subtle percussion. Left’s vocal part hits an a capella break, then the instruments come back in for the very impactful close of the song.

About the LyricsMadyson Left’s approach is very much of a storyteller. There isn’t a lot of analogy used, if any at all. The most profound song lyrically is probably “Prodigal Son,” which tells the story of a subject recounting advice given by their mother.“‘Just keep reading the Bible’ is what my mother said/ ‘You should should find a church and go get your finances straight. And don’t keep hittin’ the bottle, you might just wind up dead/ or at least a little bit like your cousin in prison. And don’t forget your roots, cuz Momma didn’t raise no fool.” The narrator seems to be recounting one or many conversations they had between me and their mother. From the first verse, I’m not sure if the narrator is telling a reminiscent story from a bitter place or a place of longing.The chorus comes in with “You think I remember it, the feeling I used to get. Hearing you call my name, where I am running away. I kept all the letters you wrote, begging me to come home. But I’d rather push my luck than be your prodigal son again.” This feels like I got a little more an answer to my question, and that answer is “a little of both.”The second verse sounds like a letter back. “I promise to be careful and try to make you proud. It’s the season for drinking and spending bank accounts. I couldn’t find a steeple and only lost my way. Wasn’t country enough for Nashville (not sure about this last lyric). Don’t forget your roots. Cuz Momma didn’t raise no fool.” This definitely felt more like a person who has a little bit of shame that they couldn’t live up to their mother’s expectations but they are unwilling to compromise who they are. The subject isn’t ashamed of who they are, they just don’t like disappointing their mother. Maybe even a little disappointed in their mother for not fully accepting who the subject is; though it sounds like the mother is trying to accept the subject. She just fears for her child.
The lyrical content of this song is so strong, so impactful, and tells a very real and complicated story that so many can relate to. There are so many scenarios that can be plugged in to make this an experience almost every single person has had at one time or another. It is such a profound way to exhibit the situation. I really like what Left has given his listeners.
Final Thoughts
I think this is a very strong debut. Madyson Left has shown he is very capable compositionally, lyrically, and through the production quality of his work. “Start Again,” works more in epic form as each song serves as a chapter to a larger story. The instrumentation of the composition is very advanced; particularly with the instrumental performances of the piano and acoustic guitar. Vocally, Left has shown an ability to perform in an array of different genres. He has given us a very marketable performance; capable of a breakthrough into mainstream performance.The production quality sounds very meticulous but it doesn’t even creep into the area of sounding overproduced. The engineering, editing, mixing, and mastering were done perfectly. I’ve got no notes.
Frankly, I don’t have a critical remark about this album. I think everything is terrific, all the way to the length of the songs. Nothing seems too short, incomplete, or drawn out for being too long. The diversity is very complimentary. Madyson Left has made a mark with this debut. It leaves me wondering, “with production quality like this, why do we even entertain most mainstream artists?” Honestly, I would choose to listen to this before 90% of the signed artists in the music industry today.
I’m not going to directly address this matter here, with respect to Madyson Left and his work as that is what I want the focal point of this article to be. But, assuming validity of the allegation against Diddy and other major artists’ involvement, historical trends of misconduct in Hollywood, and major indie artists like Jax speaking to the toxic culture within Hollywood and mainstream entertainment, it begs the question of why we choose to exalt some. I’m not saying all mainstream artists are bad and I can’t defend all indie artists to say they wouldn’t do dubious or malicious things if they were in those positions of power, but it is a strong argument for listeners to seek influential music and entertainment from places that may be a bit more healthy. At the very least, more deserving.
Madyson Left is deserving of a large audience. His listeners will be able to relate to the reality of his music. He is woefully and excitedly in touch with his emotional being and he has a profound gift to channel his thought to his performance. Is that revolutionary? No, but it’s not easy. It’s never easy.