The EP opens with "Velveteen Girls," which was released as a single. The guitar work at the beginning announces this song means business. Check out the opening lines: "A pretty face, pretty girl/Is that all I am to you/I know it's well-intended/I don't care how you intended it." The drums come in, providing the song a steady pulse. "'Give us a smile'/'Show off your legs'/I'm not here for you/Now I'm on the defensive/And it's not because I'm sensitive." There is a delicious power here, a rock energy. The song's title reminds us of The Velveteen Rabbit, raising a question of reality, of what it means to be or become real. And surprisingly, there is a sort of spoken word section in the second half, and in that section she directly addresses that question, as well as aging. Margery Williams, author of The Velveteen Rabbit, is given a songwriting credit here. Then a softer, gentler sound is established at the beginning of "Firefly," but that's not to say there is anything meek about this song. There is a steady rhythm on acoustic guitar that suggests a sense of urgency, and some really nice touches on electric guitar. "Deceptively and cunningly/She lures you in and how/Her devil's grin is beggin' for your skin." This track kicks in partway through, the drums taking on more force. "Leaves 'em guessing/Makes 'em question what's right/Answer loud as you can/Tonight." The line "Answer loud as you can" is repeated at the end, growing in power, before the word "Tonight" is delivered simply and more softly. While that line "Answer loud as you can" is empowering, encouraging, it is that one word "Tonight" that makes it all immediate. Now.
Near the beginning of "Worth It," Kim McClay sings, "I'll trade you my wide-open heart/If you promise me that you'll stay." I love the way she delivers that word "stay," giving it more emphasis, a brighter energy. She then asks, "Can you promise me that you'll stay?" The song develops a strong rhythm, a catchy rhythm, one that gets us involved. Another phrase that stands out to me is "dancing through chaos." That feels like the best thing to do these days. "We live in a dangerous time/Nothing prepares you for that." Then "So Close" eases in, with a soothing, intimate vibe at the start. "Everything's fleeting/This city, your feelings/But I seem to be stuck on you/It keeps me reeling/My pulse is still screaming/To beat intertwined next to you." Yes, it's a love song. A sort of love song, anyway. I appreciate a love song that begins with the line "Everything's fleeting." A line that is true, regardless of the subject, right? I love how her voice takes on a different quality for the lines "But we were so close/So close to the real thing," a more ethereal quality. More hopeful too, with that energy. Maybe it is the next one that will be the real thing. This song features some nice work on bass, and a wonderful lead on electric guitar. It was released as a single. Kim McClay wraps up the album with another song that addresses love, "Something Like Love," which features a beautiful vocal performance. "You came out of nowhere/Your eyes soft as day," she sings at the beginning, and then adds, "I know you from somewhere." I love the way this song builds. It's a song that grabs us and then rushes us up to great heights at certain moments, and brings us in for more intimate breaths. Helen Newby is on cello, and Lucy is on violin, the strings adding to the track's beauty and power. And after the track seems to be concluding, we are treated to something of an extended ending with the strings.
CD Track List
- Velveteen Girls
- Firefly
- Worth It
- So Close
- Something Like Love
Worth It is scheduled to be released on June 26, 2026.
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