EP Commentary: Sarah VonderHaar’s P.D.L

While continuing to pursue a modeling career at Elite Chicago, season eight contestant of America’s Next Top Model, Sarah Vonderhaar, has added singer/songwriter to her resume after independently releasing a critically acclaimed pop album in 2008, Are You Listening Now?

Back with her sophomore EP debut album entitled P.D.L.,a four track digital release set to be available for download on August 24, is an absolute duplicate of her first record containing similar bubble gum beats and themes. The EP goes as far as to include two of the same exact songs from her previous album.

All four tracks on the album have slightly different concepts, but keep a homogeneous pop sound and stale lyrics alive. Nothing much can be said about Vonderhaar’s vocal performance as there isn’t anything that sets her aside from all the other mediocre musicians aspiring to become stars in the industry. It’s safe to say that Vonderhaar should stick to being seen and not heard.

“All Mine”:
Your typical upbeat love ballad, complete with “do do do dos” present at every chorus attempting to make the song catchy, falls short and is plain irritating. Reminiscent of a Colbie Caillat inspired innocence, corny cliches of butterflies and honey kisses frame the track with weak lyrics. “All Mine” just so happens to also be on Vonderhaar’s first album.

“Howling at the Moon”:
With a southern jazzy tone, this song distinguishes itself from the rest of the tracks, proving to be the best song on the EP. Stronger darker lyrics of seduction give the song an eerie vampire-esque vide or in this particular case, a sense that the singer is metaphorically a werewolf. If you’re a fan of the True Blood theme song “Bad Things,” by country artist Jace Everett than this track could be to your liking.

“Pretty Damn Lucky”: Vonderhaar’s voice cracks with the first word of the track, foreshadowing a painful listen. It’s one of the slower songs, accompanied by a mellow guitar melody, where she‘s more intimate with her audience and opens up about struggles she’s faced. “Pretty Damn Lucky” also happens to be a live version of the record and was a bonus track on her first album.

“What I’m Feeling About You”: A finger snapping catchy tune with corny lyrics, the song is a disaster. It’s not something you would find on a popular radio station or in anyone’s car as they’re cruising down the highway, unless of course if they’re attempting to run over the side of a bridge. This track is meant to be played at a store as background music or when someone puts you on hold on the telephone.

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