B-Side Guys

“The Side Effects of You” documents relationship trauma through sharp details rather than vague metaphors. Cate Tomlinson’s sophomore EP opens with “The Ring of Fire,” where specific Los Angeles imagery – racing up Mulholland Drive, Hollywood’s neon glow – grounds its tale of destructive romance in concrete reality. The production matches this precision, building from atmospheric guitar to full arrangements that enhance rather than obscure the narrative’s descent into beautiful damage.

Throughout these six tracks, Tomlinson demonstrates sophisticated understanding of how different musical approaches serve different emotional states. “Half Lover” employs space and restraint, while “MY EX FRIEND” unleashes raw anger through both lyrics and arrangement. The latter’s brutal specificity (“Found a snake in my home” / “failing out of pre-med”) transforms what could have been generic revenge pop into something more compelling, its production emphasizing every pointed accusation.

“Like the Boys Do” reveals Tomlinson’s gift for capturing fleeting moments in vivid detail. The production creates tension through careful builds, while lyrics about “sour cherry lips” and late-night rumors demonstrate how small observations can carry larger emotional weight. Her vocal performance matches this attention to detail, shifting between vulnerability and certainty as the story demands, supported by arrangements that mirror this emotional evolution.

The EP’s sophisticated sound partially stems from Tomlinson’s background as a pianist. “Strawberry Moon” demonstrates how this classical foundation informs her pop sensibilities, with complex chord progressions supporting rather than overwhelming the melody. The arrangement choices throughout show similar sophistication, creating distinct sonic spaces for each narrative while maintaining cohesive production across the project.

As a 23-year-old Bay Area native now working in Los Angeles’s alt-pop scene, Tomlinson brings fresh perspective to familiar themes. Her lyrics consistently find new angles on relationship dynamics, whether examining toxic attraction, friendship betrayal, or sexual discovery. Each track demonstrates growth from her previous work while maintaining the directness that made earlier singles connect with audiences.

Lead single “Side Effects” best demonstrates Tomlinson’s ability to transform specific experiences into universal statements. Lines like “I’m so bitter I forget to breathe until I’m blue” capture post-relationship trauma with medical precision, while the production builds tension through soulful guitar work and strategic use of strings. The chorus particularly impresses in how it builds intensity without resorting to obvious dynamic shifts, allowing the lyrics’ metaphors about fever and infection to land with full impact.

The EP’s production creates distinct atmosphere for each track while maintaining sonic cohesion. From the dark pop elements of “Ring of Fire” to the vulnerable balladry of “Side Effects,” each arrangement serves its song’s specific emotional needs. This attention to sonic detail elevates the material beyond typical relationship pop into more ambitious territory.

These six tracks showcase an artist moving beyond early success through careful attention to both musical and lyrical craft. Each song creates its own world while maintaining thematic connections about love’s lasting damage. The production throughout makes space for both intimate confessions and full-throated anthems without losing narrative focus, demonstrating how pop structures can serve sophisticated storytelling.

“The Side Effects of You” succeeds by treating Gen-Z coming-of-age stories with the detail and respect they deserve. Building on the momentum of her breakthrough single “so cool so mean,” Tomlinson’s growth as both writer and performer suggests an artist ready to push beyond early streaming success into more ambitious territory, creating pop music that values specificity over generalization while maintaining immediate emotional connection.