When I first heard Maggie Schneider’s voice, my immediate thought was Hayley Williams of Paramore mixed with Cassadee Pope of Hey Monday, and I absolutely loved it. Schneider’s EP “Insomniac” is a compilation of songs everyone should listen to.
The EP starts off with “I Found Love,” which showcases Schneider’s powerful vocals while simultaneously showing a vulnerable side. The song depicts loving someone so much that you’re in love with their every action, from saying hello to telling bad jokes. To quote Schneider, this song “feels so right.”
The second song on this EP is the title track “Insomniac,” a song about that person that keeps bringing you back in no matter how hard you try to stay away from them. The first line of the song is, “Sometimes what you want is not what you need,” and it effectively foreshadows the story that the song tells. Schneider shows off her control over her lower register in the beginning of the song, before taking the listener on a melodic roller coaster that reveals her amazing range.
“No Herman We Can’t” starts out with a touch of distortion, my favorite addition to any song, and then descends into half-time. This angry song works for all the right reasons, discussing how Schneider is sick of how the subject of the song has treated her. I particularly love the line, “I’m finally taking hold, this has gotten old,” because it’s relatable to anyone who’s tired of being wronged.
“Lucky #10” is an acoustic song and serves as a nice, refreshing change from the previous songs on the EP. Without her love, Schneider sings that she is cold and trapped. She utilizes her powerful voice in a more gentle way without sacrificing any of her vocal strength.
I absolutely love “Our Weekends” because of the driving force behind it. It starts off with light guitar, but quickly switches to a fast-moving tempo that perfectly mirrors the theme of the song. The song itself is about holding onto the good memories of a loved one and how those memories can help you through a tough time.
“Back to You” starts off differently from the rest of the songs. We get to hear Schneider’s voice accompanied by piano and it sounds marvelous. The song is reminiscent of Christina Grimmie, but Schneider’s style is ever present as she sings of a rediscovered love that gives her hope for the future.
“For Me It’s You” is a duet with Jack Wachtel of Absolutely, another vocal powerhouse, and their voices are incredibly compatible. Together, they weave a story of two lovers who need nothing but each other. It’s yet another soft but powerful song, and with its impressive harmonies, it showcases both of their vocals magnificently.
