What makes The Elle King EP by Elle King notable?

The EP received critical acclaim, helping to establish King as a prominent voice in alternative country and blues rock. It laid the groundwork for her later success, including charting hits and a growing fan base, ultimately leading to Grammy nominations. Released in 2012, The Elle King EP marked Elle King's debut project, introducing her unique blend of genres to the music scene. At this point, she was building her identity as an artist after previously working in various capacities in the industry, including as a songwriter.

How many songs are on The Elle King EP?

The Elle King EP has 4 tracks, running approximately 11 minutes.

The Elle King EP

Elle King · 2012

11 min · 4 tracks · country music

A raw blend of blues rock and Americana that showcases King’s gritty vocals and storytelling prowess.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Playing for Keeps — This track exemplifies King's powerful vocal delivery and narrative style, capturing the essence of her struggle with authenticity in relationships.
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Good to Be a Man — The song combines humor and bravado, showcasing King's ability to tackle gender dynamics with a mix of wit and seriousness.
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My Neck, My Back — This reinterpretation features bold lyrics and a catchy hook that highlights King's adventurous spirit while drawing from hip-hop influences.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The EP showcases strong vocals and songwriting but remains somewhat conventional within its genre.

What we noticed

The first track opens with a strong guitar riff that sets a gritty tone, while the following tracks maintain a similar raw energy.
Each song features prominent vocal delivery, with King’s voice often layered over harmonies in the chorus sections.
The EP closes with a track that shifts to a more subdued tempo, allowing for a reflective finish after the preceding intensity.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Playing for Keeps 3:39
2 Good to Be a Man 2:50
3 No One Can Save You 2:16
4 My Neck, My Back 2:40

What to play next

Listen next

Love Stuff

2015

Full Elle King discography Where to start with Elle King Artists like Elle King

Americana alternative country blues rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata