Surfin’ Ducks is a collection of 8 songs for anyone who appreciates our local waterfowl. This EP aims to lift the spirits of anyone who is losing sight of their own beauty, or has forgotten how it feels to be as free as a duck in flight. Surfin’ Ducks is for fans of The Buttertones, Mac DeMarco, The Beach Boys, Arctic Monkeys, Shannon & The Clams, and any birdwatchers. – Mallory’s take on her new release
Mallory Graham has a Show @ The Mishawaka near Fort Collins CO March 22nd! Visit her linktree to RVSP
Intro
Mallory Graham’s Surfin’ Ducks EP starts us off in a warm room, feeling as though we are right beside her. Though the opening muted strums feel like a threatening cock of her guitar, we are soon greeted with a welcoming bassline. This song serves as a practice of gratitude, an affirmation—a thank you, to us and to herself, for being here, for staying to listen. It’s lovely.
Porcelain
The multi-instrumentalist answers their own call from the last track with a killer lead-in, showcasing their skills on the drums. The track truly sets the scene and locks us into the mood of the EP, shifting gears smoothly but with intention. There’s a cinematic quality to Porcelain—you can almost picture a montage of someone getting ready to run away and start anew.
Mallard
I wrote about Mallard already, you punk-ass bitch. Lol jk, but seriously, go check that out. Don’t give the ducks bread. Don’t give yourself bread. Just listen to the track and let it sink in.
River Boy
River Boy is almost, hypnotizing. Mallory’s vocal performance on River Boy really shines here, feeling well-seated and nestled into the mix. There’s a quiet confidence in the way she delivers these lines, coaxing us out of the riverbank, sharing feelings on identity, longing, and transformation. Subtle ramps and lulls in the instrumentation are reminiscent of rising and lowering tides, gently pulling the listener along.
Pretty Girls, Indie Bois
Snap out of it! That’s what this song says. If River Boy was dreamy and introspective, Pretty Girls, Indie Boys is a full-on wake-up call. It’s The Beach Boys meets Dion, with a healthy dose of that resident indie Colorado sound. And just when you think you’ve got it figured out—it fake-outs, jumps into double time, and throws you right back into the fray. Pure energy. Pure Mallory.
Bufflehead and Mallard
Just the darn cutest track I ever darn did hear. It’s soft and full of warmth, but still has that edge that Mal is so known for. Makes me think of Vampire Weekend with their tracks on the Tony Hawk Pro Skater OST.
Banshee
This is where I think the album’s same-y-ness starts to become an issue. It’s not bad—far from it—but by this point, the formula starts feeling a little too familiar. That being said, there’s a haunting quality to Banshee that makes it a worthy listen.
Outro
Jesus Christ, Mal, how the fuck am I supposed to review this?
THIS IS AN ANTI-TALKING-IN-SONGS SUBREDDIT.
But for real, I like the piano. It reminds me of Razia’s Shadow, so kudos for that.
Mallory Graham continues to carve out her niche in the indie rock/surf punk world with Surfin’ Ducks. The EP is thoughtful, textured, and filled with personality—sometimes cheeky, sometimes contemplative, always Mallory. If you haven’t listened yet, what the hell are you waiting for?
Check out her Linktree, go to her shows, and don’t. Feed. The ducks.
All parts Written and performed by Mallory Graham, with some help from Felix Seifert. Recorded at Moredoor Studios in Fort Collins, engineered and mixed by Andrew Waltman. Mastered by Doug Krebs.
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