Though she is best known for her contagious (or, rather, viral ;) ) social media presence, Britta Raci is by no means a one-hit wonder. She has generated an honest, organic online following by authentically presenting her process of growing as an artist, finding confidence in herself that eventually reflected in each song she released. Fans quickly caught on, establishing her place in the scene. Her earnest passion for making music sets her apart, allowing her to reach more diverse audiences. This has culminated in her latest effort, a dreamy pop-rock EP called “Striking Out,” in which Raci bears it all lyrically while showcasing some of her strongest performances yet.

The EP starts strong right off the bat, pun entirely intended. “Baseball Bat” was not only a clever thematic entrance, it encapsulates many of the sonic choices Raci continues to make throughout the record. Her ear for electronic instruments and production is astounding; she has a natural talent for blending her clean lead vocals with the rest of her mix, even if she is not responsible for mixing the songs. It is evident to listeners that she is careful and intentional about what goes where never missing a beat and choosing where to add nuances like vibrato— things only achieved after years of establishing expertise. Her lyrics tend to be cynical but relatable and undoubtedly authentic. Britta’s songs are her real-life experiences.

“Pete Rose” exemplifies her cynical, occasionally pessimistic lyricism. It’s not overbearing, though; one might assume that Raci has spent quite some time in the pop-punk scene, where cynicism and pessimism rule the day…every day…forever. The mix in this song features some phenomenal layering. A lead synth works in tandem with a chorus-y guitar loop. Raci is a pop-rock master; her whimsical energy and effortless approach put her in the caliber of peers such as superstars Honey Revenge despite their incredibly different sonic choices. That is truly the key to withstanding the test of time as an artist in a saturated era of music. Everyone will use the same techniques to get the job done, but once you make a song like “Pete Rose,” you have already solidified your spot at the top.

Continuing the baseball theme, “benchwarmer” is vulnerable and warm. It feels like listening to pages from Raci’s diary where she is willing to pour out her deepest secrets. The beat picks up a bit towards the chorus, but the song is mellow in the EP overall. The pre-chorus drum beat takes on an electronic tone, adding some depth to the mix by integrating different textures of sounds. Once again, Raci is an expert at her game; you can always study long and hard to know what goes where, but if you do it without any soul, those 808s will make you sound like a robot. Raci will never fall into that trap because she knows what works for her since she feels every second of it.

Finally, “third strike” closes the game…or the EP. Raci’s placement choice of each track is impeccable, as the transitional elements make the body of work cohesive. This is another one that’s a bit on the dreamy, echoey side of things. Pop-rock often gets whimsical charm that leans towards silly in the best way possible. Raci encapsulated this energy in the “third strike.” I was doing the dishes earlier and found myself singing, “You didn’t wanna ‘no,’ you only could ‘whoa’ to me.” Her polished vocals and layers of harmonies stand out the most in this mix. Raci is a strong vocalist, and she should continue using this skill to her advantage in future releases.

Utilizing a theme like baseball to express her feelings in the “Striking Out” EP was an excellent decision for Raci. Music often uses sports as a metaphor, but it doesn’t feel tired or drawn out. Instead, Raci brings the energy that is necessary for the current scene. She can stand her ground with her singing and songwriting skills alone. Once you pair her with expert producers, Raci is unstoppable.

Britta Raci’s album drops this Friday, June 14th! Make sure to GRAB IT!