May Payne shares a piece of her world in latest EP, ‘High Demand’.
May Payne’s second EP, High Demand, is her most personal project yet, using sounds of folk, indie and grunge to create a world of emotion. Each track felt like a journal entry—intimate, vulnerable, and honest. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to dive into this EP, as it reminded me how beautiful it is that artists can express themselves in this way, allowing the world to connect with their life experiences through such emotional music.
Growing up in rural Dorset, May’s sound has changed throughout her journey from a teenage emo enthusiast to a 22-year-old indie star. The EP was recorded live with her long-standing band and co-produced by Toby Ollis-Brownstone, who brought the best out of her, making the project even more special. May's influences, from Bob Dylan to Big Thief, shine through in the tones of the EP, but her voice and perspective remain her own. This is May Payne at her most authentic, and it’s so beautiful to witness.
“I let my intuition guide me in every stage of writing and producing High Demand. This EP feels the most ‘me’ of anything I have ever made. Its creation and promotion have been so therapeutic, allowing me to process this relationship in such a unique and beautiful way. It’s poetic that the first single came out the day after me and my ex broke up.”
The EP opens with Hello, Sheep Department? an immersive instrumental that sets the tone for the journey ahead. Atmospheric and cinematic, the piece feels like staring out into a cold winter day, with guitar tones that make you feel so nostalgic. It transitions seamlessly into the title track, making it a perfect prelude.
High Demand is a standout on the EP, and rightly so. Its smooth, emotive lyrics are paired with instrumentation that really emphasises the weight of May’s words and story. The second verse, where her voice cracks as she sings, “I won’t fucking quit,” is a goosebump-inducing moment of the project, showing pure vulnerability. I loved the backing vocals in the final chorus, giving the song a powerful, almost theatrical build-up before moving off into a quiet outro, contrasting the song’s intensity. This is catharsis in musical form, embodying the feeling of being “too much” for someone you love.
From the quiet outro of High Demand, Pull Away starts massively, It’s bold and brash, starting with powerful guitar chords that prepare you for the powerful track to come. Noted as an “anti-love anthem,” Pull Away captures the intensity of heartbreak and anger with guitar solos that elevate the song into something unforgettable.
The strings on Lantern Flies add a layer of delicate beauty to the bittersweet track. It’s a lullaby for hopeless romantics, full of folk goodness that reminded me of Billie Marten. For those who love the small things in life, this song is for you.
“I need you like a nightlight guiding, co-existing, making you a home.”
The final track, Something Else, was undoubtedly my favourite of the EP. It felt so honest, exploring themes of queerness and self-identity. Society always tries to put people in boxes, and it can be so uncomfortable sometimes knowing you don’t fit into those boxes. It’s hard to find room to explore your identity when there aren’t safe spaces available, but I’m positive that listeners will find that safe space in this song. It’s so amazing that May has shared a song like this, it’s something that will resonate deeply with many, offering that sense of safety and hope for young queer listeners navigating their own journeys.
