MAE MULLER
Sorry I’m Late (Universal)
Following chart popularity and the anticipated (though unsuccessful) Eurovision single I Wrote A Song, Mae Muller considers Sorry I’m Late a thank-you to dedicated fans and a validation of young women’s experiences.
Her focus on mental health and female empowerment puts Muller on par with the likes of SZA, Miley Cyrus or fellow Brit newcomer Dylan; however, the narrative of the unsuccessful romance is overworked across the 17 tracks, slight variations only occurring within melody and beat.
That said, there are exceptions – such as Miss America, I Think Porn Lied To Us, and Tatiana, a modern reworking of Dolly Parton’s Jolene. Yet it’s MTJL – short for “maybe that’s just life” – that stands out, with a stripped-back approach that lets the vulnerability of Muller’s vocals truly shine, a self-reflection fuelled by guilt and insecurity.
Despite her staunch beliefs in female liberation promising a powerful album, most songs scarcely pass the Bechdel test, ultimately making Sorry I’m Late just another catchy pop album.
words MENNA WILSON
