“BLUE” by girl in red goes back to singer-songwriter Marie Ulven’s roots of somber longing and quiet reflection yet showcases some of her cleverest musical production yet. The Norwegian artist is widely considered as a queer icon with loud and open songs like “i wanna be your girlfriend.” The artist has amassed over 23 million monthly listeners on Spotify and released her latest and third EP on Oct. 23. Its four records move away from the energetic pop synth of her 2024 album “I’M DOING IT AGAIN BABY!” and instead harken back to her earliest work in both concept and sound.

With a steady drum beat and key synthetic chords, “missing person” is reminiscent of girl in red’s 2018 breakthrough hit “we fell in love in october.” “missing person” continues the artist’s motif of depicting sapphic relationships, through its portrayal contrasts with the wishful love story of “we fell in love in october.” With a focus on self-blame and guilt for the end of a relationship, the Norwegian artist connects to listeners through an all too common yet painful experience.

“In your absence, I’m met with my actions / I’m met with the silence that won’t let me sleep / I’m met with all the reasons that led you to leave,” girl in red sings in the chorus of “missing person,” making the post-breakup distress entirely evident.

In the EP’s eponymous song “blue,” girl in red’s simple, yet honest and authentic lyrics also shine through. What brings the artist’s stories to life is her unique voice and satisfying rhythmic pulse that eventually leads to the song’s bridge, which expands into an echo of sound at the end with the lyric, “You finish what you say, my heart drops.” The song’s opening “oohs,” sung on top of a guitar, resemble the folk sound of recent indie music releases by Noah Kahan and Gigi Perez before giving way to girl in red’s signature vocal fry and yearning.

These tragic depictions of love and loss connect girl in red back to the sobering concepts of her 2021 first studio album “if i could make it go quiet.” Comparatively, her subsequent album “I’M DOING IT AGAIN BABY!” radiated themes of confidence and strong sense of self-identity through its upbeat sonics and hope-inspiring lyrics, despite grappling with similar topics of commitment and lingering feelings. With guitar arpeggios and a stripped-down production, the third track on the new EP, “worst case,” contributes to the album’s namesake blueness with a just over one-and-a-half minute length. But, it is too short to become a mainstay for repeat listens.

However, the familiarity of her prior work fades away with the EP’s final addition “clean slate.” The poignant title not only reflects the song’s content but also serves as a promising launching pad for girl in red’s future work. With a catchy chorus and raw lyrics, “clean slate” is the standout song of the EP. “clean slate” is perfect for shouting at 1:00 a.m. or becoming a new road-trip anthem.

“BLUE” incorporates all the signature hallmarks of a girl in red release, intertwining queer breakup blues with her distinct sound. girl in red’s experimental risks push her music forward. The artist utilizes poignant lyrics to create a compelling narrative for each song. By combining her signature guitar-driven backing with fresh out-of-body beats, hollow drum echoes, and a sparkling synth, girl in red’s production offers a more mature musical foundation. “BLUE” lays exceptional groundwork for girl in red’s next move.