Magnolia Melancholia is an extended play (EP) released by English singer-songwriterJamie T on 6 April 2015 in the UK, and on the 7th in the USA.[7] It was the follow-up release to his third album, Carry On the Grudge (2014), his first release after a five-year hiatus.[8] It includes five new songs (two of which are covers) and one song from the third album, "Don't You Find", which was re-released to once again serve as the lead single.[9]
Background
When Carry On the Grudge was released in 2014, "Don't You Find" was released as the first single.[10] However, it failed to chart in any significant way, and was overshadowed by the second single,[11] "Zombie", which became a Top 40 hit.[12] While its third single, "Rabbit Hole", was minorly successful in downloads and physical sales in early 2015,[13]Magnolia Melancholia was released in the spring of 2015, with "Don't You Find" re-released as its lead single.[1] This time, however, it was able to chart, albeit briefly for only one week at #87 on the Official Sales/Downloads Charts.[10]
The other three tracks are new original songs: pseudo-hymnal "Riverbed";[16] "Marilyn Monroe" (referencing the titular American blonde bombshell/film actress, Marilyn Monroe,[4] among others in its lyrics);[1] and its title track, "Magnolia Melancholia".[9] All are written solely by Treays, who stated in an interview with The Observer that he had written upwards of 180 songs during his five year hiatus.[17]
Music video
"Don't You Find" originally released an accompanying music video the year prior, when the song premiered on the third album, Carry On the Grudge (2014).[18] The video acquired over 1 million views.[7] It was re-released along with the single.[2]
Critical response
The reviews from critics were fairly positive, with most noting Jamie T's evolution in regards to musical maturity and lyrical introspection.[19] Sofie Mikhaylova of Live in Limbo states that "[his] songwriting skills are beyond compare".[5] George Meixner of The Line of Best Fit notes that Jamie's songs are more sullen and solitary, yet tender and heartfelt as a result.[4] Writing for Plastic Magazine, Jamie Skye lauded the entire album, calling it "a thunderous and dramatic package".[19]
Joe Goggins from Drowned in Sound celebrated the re-release of the lead single; and also raved about the title track, calling it "a delight, with a stroppily-delivered vocal battling a chirpy, erratic guitar line for prominence".[2] Jamie Firby from Hit the Floor concurred, writing that the song "Magnolia Melancholia" took the EP "from something brilliant into something sensational".[8] He added that Jamie T's "slow-raps and slurred vocals" within the song were the closest return to form amongst the past two albums.[8] Harry Moore from Contactmusic.com complimented multiple tracks such as "Marilyn Monroe", which he called "an electrifying song" that ought to remind us "why we fell in love with Jamie T".[1]
Writing for Popped Music, Gary Feeney praised the previously released "Don't You Find", stating it "combines a light reggae feel with haunting synth burts and backing vocals complimenting its wistful lyrics".[16] Ben Homewood of NME wrote that "the brilliant "Riverbed" evolves from folky strum to Britpop chugger".[6] James Cummins from Gigslutz lauded the cover of The Replacements' "Bastards of Young", calling it "hauntingly brilliant…as if it were his own".[3] And writing for Beat, Chris Bright said the Bran Van 3000 cover of "Mama Don't Smoke" had an audibly "intimate bar charm" to it.[20]
Not all responses were enthusiastic. Writing for Renowned for Sound, Andja Curcić stated that the EP was "a good mix of tracks", but none of which are equal to its lead single, "Don't You Find".[21] Likewise, despite an above average score of 7/10, Josh Shreeve of It's All Indie remarked that Treays had "become a frustrated man", as evident from his lyrics in "Magnolia Melancholia", which he dubbed a "lethargic heartbreak ballad";[22] and "Riverbed", which was "an Albarn-esque self-reflection which chugs along woefully".[22] Callum McCormack of The Indiependent, however, suggested even if not his greatest, it nevertheless reaffirms "Jamie T is the best solo artist at the moment".[11]
^ abMikhaylova, Sofie (10 April 2015). "Magnolia Melancholia – Jamie T — Album Reviews". Live in Limbo. Retrieved 7 February 2025. The man's songwriting skills are beyond compare, and somehow, he always falls just outside the traditional radar of indie rock and expanding a bit further into alternative, indie hip hop.
^ abBound, Chris (20 February 2015). "Jamie T announces new EP Magnolia Melancholia". Mystic Sons. Retrieved 8 February 2025. The EP Magnolia Melancholia will feature the album track "Don't You Find" as well as three unreleased tunes, "Marilyn Monroe", "Riverbed" and "Magnolia Melancholia".
^ abMcCormack, Callum (7 April 2025). "EP Review: Magnolia Melancholia // Jamie T". The Indiependent. Retrieved 8 February 2025. Jamie singing in a snarling voice which fights with a tremendous guitar line that just straight away gets you grooving along.
^ abFeeney, Gary (13 April 2015). "EP Review: Jamie T — Magnolia Melancholia". Popped Music. Retrieved 8 February 2025. …having appeared on Carry On The Grudge, the introspective mood that looms over most of E.P.…
^ abcSkye, Jamie (6 May 2015). "EP Review: Magnolia Melancholia by Jamie T."Plastic Magazine. Retrieved 8 February 2025. Magnolia Melancholia is a lot bluer than his earlier material but it's been 5 long years and Jamie T has clearly grown up.
^Curcić, Andja (7 April 2015). "EP Review: Jamie T – Magnolia Melancholia". Renowned for Sound. Retrieved 8 February 2025. Jamie T shines the most in the deep and dark sound of Don't You Find and that is the sort of sound he should definitely explore further.
^ abShreeve, Josh (8 April 2015). "EP… Jamie T - Magnolia Melancholia". It's All Indie. Retrieved 8 February 2025. If this EP does anything, it shows that any glimpse of blossoming magnolia in Jamie's life is quickly stunted by the release of pent-up agitation.
