Embracing Chaos: Izzy MacArthur’s Raw and Unfiltered Debut EP Review
Written by: Mikaila Storrs
Blame It On a Bad Dream iis like a snapshot of Izzy's life during a crazy, uncertain time. It’s all about those late-night thoughts as she was figuring out who she really is, moving on from her teenage years, and stepping into the wild world of adulthood. Despite having only five songs out she’s already racked up over 117,000+ Spotify streams.
Izzy released the EP on her birthday eve, explaining “I wanted for the EP ‘eve’ to be on my birthday because I feel like birthdays signify the beginning and end of a chapter, which is what Blame It On a Bad Dream represents for me right now. I’m nostalgic because I wrote these songs about a period of my life where I did a lot of growing up, but also know this is just the beginning. I think birthdays have the same sentiment, where you’ve grown up another year, but at the same time, it’s not like humans are stagnant. We’re always changing and I don’t quite think we ever stop growing up.
She is stepping into the music scene with a bold debut, offering raw storytelling, heartfelt lyrics, and emotions that truly resonate. The EP kicks off with "Light Sleeper," which, according to MacArthur, reflects how she felt during the time she was writing the songs. She said, “The same specific memories would pop up in my head over and over again, and I was stuck in a quite cyclical headspace. ‘Blame it on a bad dream’ was the first line I wrote in my notes app when I began writing for the EP, but ironically, the last song we finished. I kept trying to sneak it into other songs, and nothing stuck until we wrote ‘Light Sleeper.’”
My personal favorite from the EP is "Misery Missing Company." I love how it puts a twist on the phrase “misery loves company,” where Izzy’s missing someone who changes when they’re with their friends. She knows their story is likely over, but she’s not ready to move on. Even though they’re no longer together and she feels lonely, she pretends she’s okay. It’s such a relatable theme, and I'm always a fan of upbeat songs with sad lyrics.
Her debut EP brings together all her singles to date, including her most popular , “Exit Wounds.” Through her music, MacArthur offers an unflinching look at her personal journey, whether it's navigating the sensitive topic of loved ones' mental health in “Landmines” or confronting her own inner struggles in “Light Sleeper.” Each song reveals a new layer of her powerful storytelling.
In collaboration with Spencer Hattendorf, Nate Mondschein, and Fran Litterski (Danielle Bradbury, Mary Kutter), MacArthur has created a tightly woven collection of songs.. The EP showcases her unique blend of raw emotion and bold storytelling, making Blame It on a Bad Dream a powerful introduction to her musical journey.
Listen to Blame It on a Bad Dream here.
