I rang in the New Year like any normal person—glass in one hand, a silly sense of joy in my head, and a touch of melancholy in my heart. The festive whirlwind of snow, party poppers, and slightly warm champagne drowned out everything except my thoughts: damn those endless quests for self-discovery and love.

Scrolling through my feed (call it fate, if you like), I stumbled upon Jake Marshall. That bittersweet, hazy, slightly aged album cover caught my eye. Something about it told me he, too, decided to step into this year with a mix of wild energy and cautious hope. How else could you explain his debut EP, provocatively and cheekily titled Better Luck Next Time?

photo by josé peña rico

Jake Marshall delivers a five-track EP that promises a near-magical blend of everything you secretly dream about: love, heartbreak, the shattered pieces left behind in timeworn cafes, and, of course, the fresh air of hope that sometimes keeps you from collapsing under the weight of your thoughts. It’s all wrapped up in psychedelic pop, polished with commercial appeal, simple yet captivating electronic textures, and sticky synths. Soft and velvety, right? Like the strong coffee I love to sip at dawn after another sleepless night.

This EP blends a collection of songs with a narrative of forward motion. Movement from a past where the heart was broken to a future where hope takes root once more. Each track feels like a chapter, and the EP as a whole reminds us that creativity is the ultimate way to look inward and figure out where to go next.

The opening track, TOO MUCH! (Remix), is a kind of musical initiation. It immediately grabs the listener with its vibe: energetic, slightly chaotic, but undeniably captivating. The pulsing rhythm and synth textures create the illusion of navigating dense city traffic—mechanical, almost trance-like, but with an inner spark fueled by emotion. The autotune here is subtle, acting like an additional instrument that adds a multidimensional texture to the vocals. This track is about what happens when everything becomes too much—feelings, thoughts, noise—and how, in that “too much,” you can sometimes find your own balance.

Then comes the second track, Lullabye (feat. Allexx Fé). A light motif and swaying beats invite introspection about life’s small, silly truths—like maybe things aren’t so bad after all. There’s something tender in this track, a nostalgic prick, as if you remember being lulled to sleep by a soft song in childhood, while a gentle, almost pleasant sadness settles in. These soft pop arrangements, laced with a fine thread of melancholy, create that rare sensation of wanting to cry and hug someone close at the same time. Musically, this track is a breath of fresh air: simple yet elegant arrangements reminiscent of early Beach House or even echoes of late Bon Iver.

Next comes San Francisco—a minimalist, almost transparent soundscape that serves as the perfect foundation for Marshall’s voice, which effortlessly shifts between moods. There’s no excessive dramatization or intricate arrangements here, just raw emotion wrapped in a light pop shell. This track is an ode to moments—those fleeting flashes of life that linger in memory far longer than grand events. Listening to San Francisco, you step through the Golden Gate of Marshall’s mind, seeing what he saw, feeling what he felt. At times, it flirts with being “too” commercial, but its authenticity keeps it grounded.

photo by josé peña rico

wasted acts as a musical pause, though not in terms of its emotional impact. It’s a track where everything feels suspended—time, emotions, even the sound itself. A delicate intro with soft keys gradually envelopes the listener, like morning fog. Marshall’s delivery here is deeply sincere—his voice gentle, almost whispering, yet striking straight to the core.

And finally, the centerpiece—Next Time, the closing track and the heart of the EP. It’s as if Marshall deliberately saved the richest, most indulgent piece for last—a dessert for true connoisseurs of refined taste. Yet the vibrant vocal techniques, shimmering synth-pop accents, and cosmic pads create a pure, ringing sense of hope.

Better Luck Next Time is an honest, heartfelt statement in the spirit of, “Alright, life, come at me—I’ll show you what I’ve got.” These tracks hold it all: the bittersweet burn of loss, the teasing lightness of joy, the angular pang of longing, the warm whisper of hope, and even the pseudo-immortal pop fairytale we love to consume when routine weighs us down. Jake Marshall offers his vision of the future—one where love doesn’t vanish without a trace but transforms into a fine dust of music that settles on the heart, waiting to be noticed, warmed, and breathed back to life.

*This review was made possible by SubmitHub