B-Side Guys

Color possesses emotional language all its own—green for envy, silver for reflection, hot pink for defiant joy. On her new EP “FINE!,” colby! transforms this chromatic vocabulary into six songs that pulse with the vivid intensity of neon lights against midnight sky. Produced by her brother RJ Johnson, who also handles guitar, bass, and keys, this 19-minute collection serves as stunning introduction to an artist who conceptualizes music through synesthetic lens, creating what she describes as “vibrant, retro feel” inspired by Olivia Newton-John’s roller-disco musical “Xanadu.”

Opening track “Fine” immediately establishes colby!’s gift for emotional excavation disguised as pop accessibility. The song’s exploration of concern for someone refusing help demonstrates remarkable empathy for a debut artist, with lyrics that balance directness with genuine care. RJ Johnson’s production creates space for colby!’s vocals to navigate between tenderness and frustration, while the rhythm section (featuring drummer Ryan Rich) provides steady foundation that allows emotional complexity to unfold naturally.

“Out of Sight” follows with haunting examination of memory’s persistence after loss. The track’s central metaphor—being haunted by reminders of someone no longer present—transforms everyday experiences into emotional minefield. Drummer Daniel Jones contributes rhythmic foundation that mirrors the song’s circular obsessions, while colby!’s vocal delivery captures the exhausting nature of grief that refuses linear progression.

“To Each Their Own” provides necessary contrast through its exploration of urban exhaustion and individual coping mechanisms. The song’s cycling structure and repetitive elements create hypnotic effect that mirrors modern life’s tedious patterns, while colby!’s vocals maintain engagement through subtle emotional shifts that prevent monotony. The production here demonstrates particular sophistication, layering elements that enhance rather than overwhelm the central performance.

The EP’s standout collaboration arrives with “Monster,” featuring Shaya Zamora. As colby! explains, the track began when “Shaya Zamora [sent] a little audio file and a message that just said, ‘Hey, what do you think about this song idea?’” The resulting duet explores toxic relationships with remarkable honesty, examining how two people can remain trapped by connections they recognize as harmful. The song’s musical arrangement perfectly mirrors its thematic content—dangerous attraction wrapped in irresistible production.

Mixed by Matt Huber at The Print Shop rather than Andrew Maury (who handles the other tracks), “Monster” possesses slightly different sonic character that enhances its outsider status within the collection. The interplay between colby! and Zamora creates genuine dialogue rather than mere harmony, with each vocalist maintaining distinct identity while contributing to unified emotional statement. This collaborative approach suggests artistic maturity beyond colby!’s years.

Focus track “For the Record” serves as the EP’s emotional centerpiece, examining “the aftermath of a crazy breakup, where the emotions have settled, but the echoes of what was said still linger.” The song’s structure mirrors its thematic content—circular verses that return to central refrains like thoughts that won’t stay buried. colby!’s vocal performance here demonstrates remarkable control, maintaining vulnerability while asserting agency over her own narrative.

The track’s production benefits from Andrew Maury’s mixing expertise, creating sonic space where every element serves the emotional core without distracting from colby!’s storytelling. The song’s exploration of holding onto “receipts” and feeling compelled to clarify one’s position “months later” captures universal experience of relationships that end messily, leaving participants to process not just loss but confusion about what actually transpired.

Closing track “You” provides appropriate denouement through its examination of identity transformation within toxic relationships. The song’s co-writing credits (including Henry Agincourt Allen and Georgia Webster) suggest collaborative spirit that enriches rather than dilutes colby!’s distinctive voice. The track’s gradual build toward realization—”Oh great now I’m you”—creates satisfying conclusion while maintaining hope for personal reclamation.

Throughout “FINE!,” colby! demonstrates remarkable ability to transform personal experience into universal communication. Her collaboration with brother RJ Johnson creates familial intimacy that enhances rather than constrains artistic expression, while guest contributions feel integral rather than supplementary to the project’s overall vision.

The EP’s brief runtime proves perfect for its concentrated emotional content, providing complete artistic statement without exhausting listeners through excessive development. Each track serves distinct purpose within larger narrative about relationships, identity, and personal growth, creating collection that rewards both individual song consumption and sequential listening.

“FINE!” establishes colby! as artist capable of significant evolution while maintaining distinctive identity. Her synesthetic approach to songwriting—conceptualizing music through color and visual metaphor—creates unique entry point into emotional territories that might otherwise resist accessibility. The result suggests bright future for artist willing to explore darkness with equal commitment to light, creating pop music that entertains while refusing to sacrifice substance for surface appeal.