Track listing: Coffee Grinder, Ducks, Tailing Happiness, In Another Life, Mary Jane

Mallard Cafe is a 2024 four-song EP by Floryence, a project spearheaded by Milwaukee-based Jared Gibson. Kicking off with a Weezer-esque "Coffee Grinder," the album begins with lo-fi rootsy poppish punk vibes. The drums speak "4-track demo" in the very best sense of the words. There's a lovable quaintness right off the bat,and frankly it's kinda enamoring.

"Ducks" follows with a Go-Gos meets B-52s quirkiness--driving drums and catchy lyrics that open up into a major chord sing-a-long chorus. The musicianship is exactly what you'd want from an indie band singing a song called "Ducks." You know what I mean? It'd be odd if the guitar solo took on a blistering Yngwie-meets-VH technical mindbender, right? Mallard Cafe is a fun record. It's one you can share with your friends and they're just gonna like it. No pretentiousness, no existential lyricism. Just a couple effect pedals and some mics set up carefully enough to make sure the drums are mostly balanced in the recording. But this isn't a "let's punch that last drum fill for the 32nd time before we take a dinner break" sorta party.

What provides a change-up is the EP's closer, "In Another Life, Mary Jane." Here, the lyrics are more important and you can hear it in the confidence with which they're sung. They're not as fun but they're more important. We've got a serious indie ballad on our hands that warrants bringing in a melodica and adding some tasteful harmony vocals. And what's that in the outro?? A Moog? An Ebow? I'm not sure but it's cool and it brings the record to a beautiful close.

Floryence has recorded some enjoyable songs for you. Step on over to linktr.ee/Floryence and give 'em a follow on the social and streaming platforms you enjoy most frequently.