Connecticut indie-rockers Bonsai Trees featuring James MacPherson are gearing up to release their brand-new EP MINE on June 17th.
Since 2011, Bonsai Trees has earned over 2 million Spotify streams with their impeccable balance of emotional songwriting and rockin’ melodies. Bonsai Trees are led by vocalist James MacPherson and a rotating live band of talented musicians.
Speaking on the new EP, James MacPherson shares, “Mine is the first collection of songs I’ve made using only my own intuition and input. All the parts serve the song I wrote in the way I originally intended. I cherish every collaboration I’ve ever had in Bonsai Trees and all of those people helped shape the sound that we were going for at the time; but this EP was my first step into making my art sound like me. Authenticity is the key theme on MINE. It’s about taking your life back, taking your goals seriously, and getting on the path that’s most important to YOUR journey.”
We got a sneak peek of the incredible EP. Plus, we got to chat with James MacPherson regarding MINE. You can check out our conversation here.
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‘Mine’ by Bonsai Trees & James MacPherson mixes indie rock & grunge for a blissful 4-track EP.
About That
This opening track starts with a soft and mellow guitar. It makes me feel like I am sitting by a beach on a beautiful summer day. The lyrics crescendo with the riffs from the smooth opening to a rockin’ chorus. There are unique stylistic moments, including an extended pause between sections which emphasize the crescendo and decrescendo transitions. The lyric “About that heart I gave to you — it’s mine” capture the entire meaning of the song. Repeating the line “it’s mine” at the end so many times speaks to the desperation of the speaker needing to take ownership back of what they gave.
Easy to Forget
To start, this song opens with a dance-like riff with soft vocals that match the fragility of life and emotion. It reminds us how easy it is to forget about one another and forget about ourselves. The lyrics make allusions to mental health battles that stem from terrible experiences. Changing the rhythm in the song several times keeps fans on their toes. Again, that raw emotion comes through in the later choruses where James MacPherson really lets go and puts all the desperation and frustration out in the world. Plus, it has one of my favorite words “discombobulated” in it.
Not Better
At this point, it is clear the EP is ordered very deliberately to paint this story. From giving your all to someone who lets you down, to feeling easily forgotten about, and now facing the consequences of it all. For me, this song is a simultaneously a message of surrender and of hope. The lyrics are identifying the crisis of not being better while also hashing out and managing the emotions associated with the whole situation. It focuses on the struggle of falling back into a cycle that you know how to get out of. Without a doubt, this track is my absolute favorite from the EP.
Scaredy Cat
“Scaredy Cat” gives this album the closure it deserved. Undeniably, the unique guitar melody pairs well with the next step of the heartbreak saga. Like the previous tracks, the song crescendos and decrescendos with the flow of emotions. I absolutely love it when MacPherson breaks out into those yell-singing moments. The rawest emotions are always felt in the choruses of Bonsai Trees, and this song is the prime example of that.
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You may also like: James MacPherson talks about the concept behind upcoming EP ‘MINE’ — exclusive interview
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