"'Mutual' Breakup" by Maddox Gipko: Album Review

Stand-out track: "Are You Mine"

Credit: Spotify

Temperate acoustics dance cohesively with honey-rasped vocals that assure it'll “be fine come morning”. Steeped in uncertainty, Maddox Gipko establishes a rolling dynamic that maps out the somber uneasiness and tender taste of mutual loss. After a tinge of wishful thinking, he wonders “who am I to say I love you/ when I hardly love myself?” followed by a similar bifold of hope and dread throughout the fluctuations of the album. 

With a bulky drum sequence and delicate scratches on mellow strings, “Paint My Mind”, lures country listeners, surprises indie-pop enthusiasts, and retains both. Gipko’s forlorn, parched, breathless vocals extract the authenticity of human agony and reimagine it as an exhilarating sound. Maddox Gipko’s “Paint My Mind” is an invitation to alter his mind and “make it right”. This abjection is greeted by “Mutual Breakup”, a mid-level angst, uplifting track to revitalize the album pattern and provide a thoughtful transition to the next song. 

“Mutual Breakup”, “Carry On”, and “Let Me Go” have buoyant melodies and bright vocals to sugarcoat their thematic messages. They encourage and reassure the receiving end of a breakup to cut ties and regain individual traction, all while shifting intensities.“Mutual Breakup”  is the positively energetic height of the album, with “Carry On” mimicking its rhythm and “Let Me Go” serving a more one-sided account. These tracks suggest dual frustration with themes of mutuality and division scattered throughout the album. 

Gipko’s full-length album idles with “Calloused Lies”, a reversal of one-sidedness that leaves Maddox grasping for answers and strength. He yearns to “wash these calloused lies” off his hands and learn if "you're gonna stay”. Calloused lies attach the responsibility of past mistakes to Gipko as he works to understand and be reassured. He communicates the ache of both with optimistic acoustics and honest lyrics. This track provides an innocent foundation that disorients when “Hurt Too Bad” queues.

The 9th song in this 10-track album has lethal lyrics, perilous production, and striking strings. Compared to “Mutual Breakup”, “Carry On”, and “Let Me Go”, “Hurt Too Bad” might seem out-of-character; especially considering the alternatively weighted “Nothin’ New” album ending. This would be an empty accusation considering how Gipko exudes an unmatched duality that critiques genre conformation as he stretches industry parameters. His well-rounded album demonstrates a balanced taste for and appreciation of plain, good sound. Maddox Gipko welcomes new love while retiring the old in a collection of poetic, striking, offset soundscapes that adhere to an impeccable range- all in one album. 

Maddox Gipko is an indie-rock singer/songwriter from Delaware with an encompassing sound that attracts listeners. He released his first single “Stay” in 2022, latest single “Paint My Mind” in May, and his brand new album “‘Mutual’ Breakup” on June 20th of this year. His sound is implacably unique, freely alternating between genres in each release. We are interested in Gipko’s sound, and highly encourage you to put him on your playlist or check out his social media links below. 

For more of Maddox Gipko:

Spotify

Website

Instagram

YouTube

By Paradoccs Blog

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