EP Review: Bexley - Lost In The Moment

I would like to say that women in rock and roll have achieved a level of respect and acclaim that is fitting of their contributions. I would like to, but I can't yet. Things are getting better, and there are so many women who are rocking harder and better than most of the men, but we still live in a society where it almost feels novel when our rock music isn't coming from a burly guy covered in ugly tattoos and a dirty beard. I wish that weren't the case, since many of the women on the scene are giving us rock the way it was meant to be played, while the boys all scream about how no one likes them, apparently blind to the fact they aren't liked precisely because they're whining children.

Bexley is the latest to throw her hat into the ring, giving us this debut EP that wants to put some real thought and feeling behind her rocking tendencies. Lead single "Run Rabbit Run" is a female empowerment anthem, telling us we wouldn't know what to do with Bexley if we, the hunters, ever caught her. I'm sure she's right about that. The guitars buzz behind her like a far heavier version of Sleater-Kinney, while I would like to think the title is a literary reference to John Updike (not that I am an Updike fan, but I do like artists who are a bit high-minded). The song has been gaining attention, and I can see why. It's a good, solid rock track that doesn't have any pretences about being what it isn't, and it doesn't get so dirty it would put off the non-devoted.

"Deal" is an even bigger track, where the chorus absolutely explodes behind a wave of mammoth guitars, and what I think are subtle synths as well (the mix is a bit cloudy). It's another song that could absolutely be a single, and not in the glory days like I usually say. There's a modern tinge to the production that would let the song fit in on the rock charts today. No one can listen to this and seriously make the case that Theory Of A Deadman is more deserving of airplay.

"Falling To Pieces" sounds like a track that could have come off Foo Fighters' "One By One", and while I like the gritty feeling, I wish the chorus of the song was more developed than a repetition of the title. I understand it wants to reinforce a point, but it isn't as interesting to listen to as the bridge, which could have also been included after the first go-round to give the song a bit more 'oomph'.

On sometimes, Bexley's vocal hits notes that bring Lzzy Hale to mind. Considering how great Lzzy is, that can only be a good thing. Bexley shows on these songs she has many sides to her voice, many colors she can use, and she is still learning how to hone them into a weapon that fits what the song calls for. It's a learning process, but you can definitely hear how much potential is there for when she focuses on her strongest attributes. We finish things off with "Toxic Love", a song that speaks to harmful relationships. The topic is dark, which the song mirrors, although it might be a little bit too much down that particular path.

Bexley's debut EP is five songs, but in that short amount of time she shows us a range of sounds and styles she can tackle as her career unfolds. Some are more enjoyable than others, but she makes clear across "Lost In The Moment" that there are many more moments still to come.