Folk/Review Mahto and The Loose Balloons - Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

Mahto and The Loose Balloons, hailing from Johnson City, United States, is a musical project led mostly by Mahto himself, with a touch of collaboration from his friend Niko Graham, who contributed the song "Crisscross" to the EP, adapted in the Mahto style. Matt Sykes from Downspout Records handled the mixing and mastering of the tracks, resulting in a cohesive and authentic sound.

Mahto and The Loose Balloons' EP “Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue,” combines vintage charm with contemporary authenticity in a refreshingly humble and emotional way. The project, which draws inspiration from Nick Shoulder's “Home on the Rage,” focuses on a homemade, low-fidelity style that lets each track's emotional genuineness come through.

The idea, which has its roots in the traditional wedding rhyme, develops with delicious coherence: new originals that feel both immediate and timeless ("something new") follow a dusty, reinvented classic that establishes the mood ("something old"). One particularly noteworthy song, "Crisscross" ("something borrowed,") honors without copying, as seen from Mahto's unique rootsy perspective. Naturally, the arrival of "something blue" is tinged with sorrow, bringing to mind late-night contemplations and subtle heartbreak.

The EP, which was recorded at Mahto's home studio throughout 2024, sacrifices polish for presence. From intimate vocal takes that transport listeners to the same room to smoldering guitar textures, every song has a sense of life. The straightforward yet flawless arrangements demonstrate that honest delivery and excellent songwriting don't require ornate embellishment.

Mahto's dedication to capturing events without overanalyzing them is what really sets this EP apart. It's heartfelt and modest music, driven more by intuition than by striving for perfection. That philosophy is brilliantly supported by the Loose Balloons' easygoing chemistry, which provides coherence and warmth throughout all genres and moods.

Quiet, pure, and very human, “Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue” is a little jewel. It's the result of a songwriter having faith in his songs.