Don’t let the sweet and goofy pictures on the cover of this EP fool you, Elle King is a rebel.  At least she must be.

After listening to the first song on Elle’s upcoming self-titled EP, I found myself humming and bobbing my head along with her every word. “Playing For Keeps” is featured as the theme song for the TV show Mob Wives Chicago – and I can totally see why. She brings this coarse, feisty vocal attitude to her haunting lyrics: It’s a lonely road where the forgotten go/where your misery finds it’s company/It’s a long way down to the/sacred ground where the reapers/playing for keeps. It’s easily the strongest track on the EP and quite possibly the main track that can get her noticed.

The second track on the album, “Good To Be A Man,” is an interesting contrast to the “Playing For Keeps.” It’s strummed on a banjo – which in itself is unique – and it lacks the backing of a full band throughout the verses. It’s slightly humorous as she sings about how all she would have to worry about is a receding hairline and how easy it is to be a man.

“No One Can Save You” seems to have been recorded in a similar fashion, but it completely cuts out the studio backing for the entirety of the song. It sounds like a living-room recording with its muffled string support and mediocre recording quality. It certainly showcases Elle’s ability to belt out a song without the need of any sort of over-the-top studio production, which is somewhat intriguing.

The last song on the EP is a live recording of her song “My Neck, My Back.” It’s 100% not work or child appropriate, but it sounds like Elle puts on a very entertaining show nonetheless!

Elle put together an interesting mix of songs on this EP and I’m interested in hearing what approach she takes for her upcoming full-length record.  ”Playing For Keeps” was all I needed to hear to be interested in what kind sounds Elle might be capable of in the future.

The EP will be available on June 12th, but you can listen to the first single from the EP here: