Indie folk singer-songwriter Sky McKee, celebrated for his introspective lyricsism and evocative soundscapes, has returned with a personal, intimate yet catchy and accessible new three track EP, Less Is Less. At points uplifting despite the heavy themes covered and at others painfully honest and hard hitting, the EP is as comparable to Mumford & Sons as it is to Phoebe Bridgers, The National and Daughter.
Through Less Is Less, McKee tackles three deeply human themes—grief, embarrassment, and nostalgia—while embracing a minimalist ethos that distills his emotions into their purest form. “I’ve spent so much time trying to explain my life away in lyrics, I started wondering—what’s the point? Why do we create what we do if not to connect?” McKee explains. This shift in focus led him to create songs that feel raw and direct, speaking to the universality of emotion.
The EP begins with ‘Talking Heads’, an ode to a formative friendship that offered McKee comfort during his tumultuous childhood. “Evan Moring was a friend when I had no one,” he reflects. “He was older, and we’d drive around listening to his mixtapes in his Volvo station wagon. Those moments kept me grounded and gave me hope. That’s why I started creating music in the first place.” The track is both a tribute to this connection and a reminder of the power of small moments to inspire and heal.
Next comes the heartfelt ‘Anita (I’m Losing)’, a standout single released ahead of the EP that chronicles McKee’s struggle with loss. Drawing on his admiration for a family friend, the song captures the ache of saying goodbye while holding onto the beauty of shared memories. McKee’s tender vocals, coupled with sparse instrumentation, create an atmosphere that feels both intimate and universal.
The EP concludes with ‘Broken Beyond Belief’, a raw and unflinching look at personal vulnerability. This track, steeped in McKee’s signature bedroom folk sound, digs deeper into the resilience required to face life’s challenges. “It’s about sitting with the wreckage and realizing you’re still here, still capable of moving forward,” McKee says.
While Less Is Less confronts heavy themes, McKee’s approach—pairing acoustic pop elements with warm, folk-inspired melodies—creates a layered contrast that makes the project accessible and comforting. Each track lingers long after the music ends, leaving a feeling that you’ve listened to McKee’s most private thoughts or read through a personal diary.
Listen for yourself below: