"Mantra," Asbury Park songstress Natalie Farrell's long-awaited follow-up to her 2018 debut EP, "Natality," will arrive with a release party on July 29 at Asbury Lanes. Based on the new EP's five songs, the event will also be a dance party!

Natalie has a lot of contagious fun throughout, especially on the opening title track, the EP’s first single and video. The first 15 seconds gives a deep nod to her Latin roots with a delicious Tito Puente/Celia Cruz-like intro, but then the track makes a 180 with a sassy take on how a mantra can be meditative, but it also can be like a motto, which, for Natalie is that she’s not to be messed with.

Clever wordplay throughout that pays homage to yoga and other meditative practices is as much fun as rich layers of dance grooves.

The fun continues with a similarly dichotomous second single, “Out of Touch,” which juxtaposes a cute staccato piano throughout with layers of chamber funk. A fluid rap serves as a strong  bridge in the tale about obtaining the upper hand within a toxic relationship.

“Bali” is even more exotically intoxicating than “Mantra.” Imagine Sade with street cred.

Throughout “Mantra,” that street cred permeates the EP, particularly on “Talk Sh!t,” which is about the catharsis of gossip, as well as the messiness that selfishness can create.

“Mantra” closes on a chill vibe with “Rely on Me,” a slow jam about a love with legs that aims to reassure a partner in pain.

Backed by an all-star band that features guitarist Matt Fernicola, drummer Joshua Van Ness, and husband Lou Panico on bass, Natalie will share the Lanes bill with Brianna Musco, Justin Magnaye, and Lake Champagne.

For more about her, click https://fanlink.to/nataliefarrellmusic. 

Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at makinwaves64@yahoo.