B-Side Guys

Rejection becomes rocket fuel. Leanne Gallati’s latest EP transforms twenties heartbreak into four tracks of defiant celebration, turning romantic dismissal into self-acceptance anthem. Not Your Type works because it refuses to wallow—instead, Gallati uses wit and alt-pop energy to reclaim the narrative around being “difficult” or unmarketable in love.

The Brooklyn-based artist brings serious performance credentials to this project. Her musical theater background shows in the dramatic flair and vocal precision, while her time as Cosmonaut Radio’s lead singer provides the rock foundation that keeps these songs from floating away into pure pop confection. That combination creates something more substantial than typical breakup music.

Opening track “Standoff” immediately establishes the EP’s confrontational tone. Rather than pleading or explaining, Gallati positions herself as worthy opponent rather than rejected supplicant. The standoff metaphor works because it suggests equality—two people facing off rather than one person chasing another who’s already moved on.

“Villain 2.0” serves as the EP’s centerpiece and most successful single. Critical praise from outlets like Zillions Magazine and Last Day Deaf highlights how Gallati balances “defiance and playfulness” to create what Jansen’s Jamz calls “irresistible edge.” The “2.0” designation suggests upgraded version of villainy—self-aware, empowered, and strategic rather than merely reactive.

The track’s electric guitar solo provides perfect punctuation for what critics describe as “passionate, power-house vocals” that embrace the idea of being both “princess and the villain in a story.” That duality captures something essential about refusing to be diminished by others’ limited expectations. Sometimes embracing the “darker side” isn’t about becoming worse—it’s about refusing to make yourself smaller.

“Rewind” presumably explores the temptation to return to earlier relationship dynamics, though Gallati’s approach throughout the EP suggests she’s more interested in moving forward than backward. The placement third in the sequence creates natural pause before the title track conclusion.

Closing track “Pretty Monsters” provides the EP’s titular inspiration through the line “You saw what you wanted, guess I’m just not your type.” That phrase encapsulates the entire collection’s mission—transforming dismissal into declaration of independence. The “pretty monsters” concept suggests beauty that doesn’t conform to safe expectations, attractiveness that comes with complexity others might find threatening.

The twenty-minute runtime perfectly serves material this concentrated with attitude. These aren’t songs that need extended exploration—they’re direct statements that benefit from concision. Four tracks provide sufficient space to establish the theme without exhausting the concept through repetition.

Gallati’s pop-rock fusion creates ideal framework for empowerment messaging. The upbeat arrangements support the self-acceptance themes while maintaining enough edge to avoid toxic positivity. Her theater background shows in the way she inhabits these songs completely—this isn’t tentative self-affirmation but full-throated celebration of refusing to diminish oneself for others’ comfort.

The EP’s tongue-in-cheek approach prevents it from becoming preachy or sanctimonious. Gallati understands that humor often makes difficult truths more palatable. By painting rejection and heartbreak with wit rather than bitterness, she creates space for listeners to laugh at their own similar experiences rather than feeling attacked by the messaging.

Her performance history at venues like Brooklyn Bowl, Mercury Lounge, and Baby’s All Right demonstrates artist comfortable with live presentation of this material. The songs need to work in rooms full of people, and the anthemic quality that critics note suggests they translate well beyond recorded versions.

The Relix Artist Sampler feature alongside Phish represents significant recognition within music industry circles. That placement suggests industry awareness of genuine artistic development rather than merely local or niche success. Being featured in established publication indicates broader potential for sustained career growth.

Gallati’s transition from musical theater to NYC funk-rock to solo pop-rock career shows artistic evolution that serves her current material well. Each phase has contributed elements—theatrical presence, collaborative energy, individual voice development—that combine in Not Your Type’s confident presentation.

The EP succeeds because it treats self-acceptance as active choice rather than consolation prize. Rather than settling for “you’ll find someone who appreciates you eventually,” Gallati celebrates being the type of person who might not appeal to everyone. That perspective requires genuine confidence and provides more sustainable foundation for happiness than waiting for external validation.

Most importantly, Not Your Type demonstrates how artists can transform personal difficulty into universal empowerment without losing emotional authenticity. Gallati has created work that acknowledges real pain while refusing to be defined by it. The EP establishes her as artist capable of helping others find strength through embracing rather than apologizing for their complexity.