8/10

There is a strong confidence running through Messy Eater's new EP 'Comfort Food'. It never feels like it’s trying to convince you it’s clever, adventurous or emotionally resonant; it simply is. Across five wonderfully eclectic tracks, the Yorkshire artist proves that pop music can still be playful without sacrificing depth, wrapping reflections on modern life inside arrangements bursting with colour, character and imagination.

The opening moments of 'Happy Place' immediately establish the EP’s infectious personality. What begins with a nostalgic crackle soon blossoms into a buoyant groove where soulful brass, lively percussion and stacked vocal harmonies collide with effortless charm. The song constantly reinvents itself, veering between breezy indie-pop, rhythmic spoken passages and moments of reflective calm before exploding back into one of the EP’s most irresistible choruses.

'Learning to Love What I See in the Mirror 'is perhaps the emotional centrepiece. Its gentle optimism arrives without cliché, addressing self-acceptance through memorable melodies that leave a lasting impact. As it plays, the song recognises that confidence is often something built gradually, delivering the kind of songwriting that feels personal enough to be believable while remaining broad enough for us to see ourselves reflected within it.

Elsewhere, 'Vibe Killer' injects a welcome shot of wit and restless energy. Built around elastic rhythms, quirky production flourishes and an endlessly engaging vocal performance, the song balances humour with sharp observation, demonstrating Messy Eater’s ability to disguise thoughtful commentary inside irresistibly catchy pop.

Meanwhile, 'Anything for an Easy Life' continues that balancing act beautifully. Its relaxed exterior masks a quietly perceptive examination of modern expectations, with laid-back instrumentation providing the perfect backdrop for lyrics that question our obsession with endless productivity.

Then closing track 'Bad Day (Lemonade)' ties everything together with warmth and generosity. Built around comforting melodies and understated arrangements, it leaves us with the sense that difficult days don’t define us, and that optimism often arrives in small, everyday moments.

Throughout the EP, Messy Eater’s greatest strength lies in making experimentation feel welcoming rather than alienating. Echoes of alternative pop, indie-rock, soul, funk and psychedelic textures drift naturally through the songs, yet none of it ever feels like stylistic box-ticking.

In all, 'Comfort Food' lives up to its title perfectly. It’s familiar without becoming predictable, and filled with songs that offer genuine comfort precisely because they embrace life’s imperfections rather than trying to escape them.