Maura Streppa 'Singer and the Song' EP Review

New artist Maura Streppa released her debut EP titled Singer and the Song on Friday, May 20th. The Chicago native proves that she has what it takes to be among Nashville's brightest hopefuls.

Streppa knew from a young age that music was going to be her future. She would write, sing, and perform for anyone who would listen. When the musician's family moved to North Carolina, she directed her emotions to her writing. At the age of 18, Streppa got the chance to open for Jimmie Allen at the Carolina Country Music Festival. It wasn't too long after that formative experience that Streppa made the move to music city.

The title track "Singer and the Song" showcases her singer-songwriter sound the most clearly. it's a clever song about how some people are the performer while others are the subject of their material. "For every Johnny Cash, there's a Johnny on the street / For every Dolly Parton there must be a Jolene." It's a point of view that is rarely seen in today's music landscape.

"Line Dance" was released prior to the EP's release. It's country to a T with the guitar riffs and melody. It's definitely a track worthy of a live stage performance. "Pretend" offers a closer look at Streppa as a lyricist. This track is about her frustrations with how the weather affects her mood, something a lot of other people can identify with. "My mind starts to turn, the weight of the world gets heavier / Another retrograde, I react just the same / I know it ain't the end, but it's too hard to pretend."

"Sinner" is as honest and vulnerable as a track could possibly get. Streppa sings about the jealousy she can't help but have for a woman who has what she wants. It's done in a classy way that doesn't paint the other woman in a bad light. Streppa praises her for who she is, but of course, it still hurts. "If envy is a sin, then my middle name is sinner," she exclaims. Streppa's debut EP already gives us a glimpse into the kind of writer she is, and we can't wait to see how she grows.

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