Mahto & The Loose Balloons’ latest EP, Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, is a refreshing exercise in stripped-down honesty. Recorded entirely in Mahto’s home studio throughout 2024, the project leans into simplicity in a way that’s both purposeful and deeply personal. The title, borrowed from an old bridal saying, isn’t just a clever thematic device—it becomes the foundation for how the four songs are constructed and experienced.
The EP unfolds like a quiet conversation between artist and listener, where every note feels intentional yet unforced. Inspired by Nick Shoulder’s Home on the Rage, Mahto adopts a “no frills, just feels” approach. The arrangements are skeletal—mostly voice, guitar, and the occasional harmonica—and that’s what makes them resonate. There’s an almost lo-fi intimacy, made even more remarkable by the fact that it was all recorded on a phone. Yes, a phone. Mahto recorded take after take until he captured performances that felt right, often late at night after work. It’s a raw, real process that fits the songs perfectly.
While Mahto hasn’t publicly listed which track corresponds to each part of the EP’s title, the intent is clear: each song reflects a moment, a mood, or a musical memory.
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The old might be a nod to traditional folk forms or perhaps to an older version of Mahto himself—stripped down, back to basics.
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The new could represent his continued growth and commitment to not overthinking the creative process, letting the songs lead the way.
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The borrowed is quite literally “Crisscross,” written by friend and collaborator Niko Graham. It’s been adapted into Mahto’s style, and the result feels seamless—as though it had always been part of his songbook.
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And the blue? There’s a definite emotional through-line in the music—melancholy, longing, and maybe a hint of late-night reflection that colors the entire EP.
Each track is unique, but the EP is cohesive—thanks in no small part to the mixing and mastering work by Matt Sykes of Downspout Records. The sonic fingerprint is gentle, lo-fi, but balanced and consistent, adding polish without sanding down the edges.
What sets this release apart is its refusal to chase trends or hide behind production tricks. Mahto & The Loose Balloons present music that’s direct and unfiltered, leaning into vulnerability rather than spectacle. There’s something incredibly refreshing about hearing songs in their earliest form, before they’re built out with a full band. Mahto plans to revisit some of these tracks in future releases, but what we have here feels like the purest version of his vision.
The EP’s format is also worth noting. Using a thematic structure like “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” is a creative framework that offers just enough guidance without boxing the songs in. As Mahto himself says, these prompts are “just vague enough that someone else could do something vastly different if they wanted to.” It’s a format ripe for experimentation—and one that could very well inspire other indie songwriters looking for direction.
While the EP is a homegrown affair, Mahto & The Loose Balloons have some live shows lined up, including a full band performance at Music in the Park on July 13th, a solo gig for the Other Folk series in Greenville, South Carolina on July 20th, and a spot at Rhythm and Roots in Bristol on September 19th. These live appearances should offer a fascinating contrast to the intimate recordings—an opportunity to hear how these songs evolve in a more energetic, communal setting.
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue is a quiet triumph. It doesn’t shout for attention, but it earns it anyway through sheer honesty and heart. It’s the kind of record that invites you to slow down, listen closely, and appreciate music in its rawest, most human form.
If you’re looking for glossy, overproduced pop, this won’t be your cup of tea. But if you crave songwriting that’s heartfelt, thoughtful, and unpretentious, Mahto & The Loose Balloons have given you something worth sitting with.
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