8/10

Returning with her second studio album, Oslo’s MaVe continues to push her creative boundaries, unveiling a bold and emotionally charged body of work with 'Ecstatic / Perplexed'. Completely self-written and self-produced, her latest release serves as a testament to her unfiltered artistic expression, capturing the collision between life’s euphoric highs and its more tangled moments of uncertainty.

At its core, 'Ecstatic / Perplexed' is a masterclass in duality, seamlessly blending Scandinavian experimentalism with pop accessibility. Each track shifts between lush, layered soundscapes and intricate vocal stylings, striking a delicate balance between bold innovation and raw vulnerability. From driving electronic builds to organic live drums, the album showcases MaVe’s genre-defying instincts.

A defining moment within the record, ‘Cloud Skies’ embodies the album’s essence with its sweeping guitars, playful vocal textures, and dynamic percussion as they coalesce into a track that fully embraces MaVe’s expansive range. The song mirrors the project’s overarching theme, charting the transition between ecstasy and uncertainty with stunning fluidity.

Having already gained critical recognition through a steady stream of standout singles including ‘Extraordinary,’ ‘WEAK,’ and ‘Stardust’, MaVe has proven herself to be an architect capable of crafting immersive, boundary-pushing compositions. With 'Ecstatic / Perplexed', she takes a decisive step forward, delivering a rich, multi-dimensional album that cements her status as a truly innovative force in modern music.