Tiny Voices, one of the Wisconsin scene’s most exciting emo darlings, have just released Make Up Your Place, their highly anticipated EP. The EP is a masterclass in thematics and cohesion in writing, and enthralling from start to finish.
The opening track, “I Don’t Have to be Right, I’m the Weatherman,” wastes no time in kicking the album off, a fast-paced plunge into the high energy vocals and electrifying riffs that define the EP. The song slows down at the end, ending on a somber “It’s not getting better,” establishing the lyrical throughline that will define the rest of the release.
“Minnesota? Wild.,” the first of the two lead singles to be released, restores the energy present in the beginning of the previous song, catching the listener up in a high energy, mathy riff that leads and punctuates the whole song. A snappy drumline accompanies it, keeping the tempo up as Tiny Voices’ signature deeper vocals come in. The chorus is direct and sharp, addressing a former lover with lines like, “How’s your new lover?/It’s weird and sad to think that I will never have you back.” The delivery of these lines really sell the combination of resentment and regret that Tiny Voices is so good at creating.
“Where My Dawgz At?” and “Someone Else,” tracks 3 and 5 respectively, both feature vocals from fellow Wisconsin acts, Endswell in track 3 and Excuse Me, Who Are You? in track 5. These two tracks both utilize these features for an angrier tone, with each track looking back on the failings of a past relationship.
Seasons marks a shift in the album, from the self-blaming lyrics like “I’m sorry/I wasn’t good enough” in Dawgz to more unrepentant lyricism. These lyrics, such as “You’re better off without me/I couldn’t take this back, but I wouldn’t even if I had the chance,” feel both intensely personal, and tailor-made to be screamed back in the band’s face in a live performance. Another incredible riff takes the lead as we reach the chorus, and meshes with the semi-screamed vocals to perfectly create the tone that the lyrics require. The combination of resignation and anger that characterizes the entire song is all too familiar to victims of heartbreak, and the song is a beautiful acceptance that sometimes, even when you’ve done all you can, some things aren’t meant to be.
Just as “Seasons” marked a shift in the album, "Tony Vices” marks something of a departure. This song is noticeably more upbeat, with less screaming than the other songs on the album, and a much more fun vibe - even including a short jazz break. This is in sharp contrast with the lyrics of this song, all of which focus on the singer’s own failures to take care of themselves or ask for help.
The EP closes with “College Ave.” Like “Seasons,” this song is angry, easily the angriest on the album. Shouts like “Fuck off! Go home!” punctuate the verses, while the chorus calls out whoever the singer is singing to directly, with lines like “Talk behind my back/I don’t even get a chance to respond/Lie, make up your place/I know you wouldn’t say that shit to my face.” The album ends in a cathartic chant, as the singer seems to finally realize that there is no going back, repeating the lines “We were friends for so long/Was it worth what you caused?”
Make Up Your Place is an explosive, high energy catharsis of heartbreak and acceptance. Tiny Voices’ straightforward and emotional lyricism lend an incredible weight to their songs, complimented by the high energy instrumentals and vocals. It’s nearly impossible not to get caught up in the pace of the album and the storytelling of the lyrics, and find yourself feeling seen in each song. And when that does happen, you’ll find the album is at its best when you’re singing along.
