Greenelight is the combined names and talents of Chip Greene and Megan Light, and their first EP is four songs of dreamy, rhythmic pop romanticism. Piano-driven, soft and subdued, it’s typical but well-done, with the power of Light’s barely-there vocals and the sometimes jazzy backbone of Greene’s electric piano.
The self-titled recording opens with “I’ve Got It All,” in which Light’s voice is wispy like cigarette smoke and comes from the back of her throat as she sings, “you used to taste like candy/but now that box is empty” amidst nice touches of humming and strong but modest keys. On the second track, Light seems to taste the words more like Regina Spektor and her vocals are more shrill, coupled with Greene’s stern, even voice in the background. The dark, dreary-day melody and Light’s odd pitch gives it a PJ Harvey sort of appeal and makes it the standout track.
The first time Greene takes the lead is on the last and most driving track, “Water and Wine,” which channels the most jazz influence through the beat and piano, although the sudden use of an expletive in all this caressing, lullaby pop seems strange and unfitting. There is a sameness in the piano on the four tracks that doesn’t make them forgettable, but makes them run together a little. However, for mellow, piano indie pop, it succeeds.