Melbourne’s own Shani Weiss is crashing onto the scene, armed with a guitar, a stack of instruments, and a voice that cuts straight to the bone. Forget generic acoustic sets—this singer-songwriter is a folk-rock powerhouse whose deeply emotive tracks tackle the universal chaos of relationships, the complexities of femininity, and the raw, unfiltered human experience. She just dropped her six-song sonic journey, the EP “All About Life,” and trust us, you’re going to want to live inside these songs. Ready to dive into the tracks? Let’s break down the EP!
The album starts strong with “ALL ABOUT LIFE”. It opens with a calm, almost reflective entrance—nothing rushed or dramatic. The voice feels grounded, as if someone is speaking from lived experience rather than theory. The lyrics center on acceptance of life as it is, not as we wish it to be. There’s an understanding that joy, pain, confusion, and clarity all coexist. Rather than searching for control, the song leans into awareness, presence, and living in the moment. The arrangement is restrained and spacious, built around soft chords and an unhurried tempo. The production favors warmth over polish, allowing subtle dynamics to do the emotional work. Vocals sit front and center, delivered with calm assurance rather than dramatic peaks. The music feels steady and grounded, mirroring the song’s reflective tone. The song made me think Steady and centered. It felt like being reminded to stop fighting reality and start listening to it. This song frames the entire EP as a journey of emotional honesty. It made me more receptive to the songs that followed.
Coming in hot at number two is “IN TWO”. The opening feels emotionally divided—there’s a subtle tension in how the melody unfolds, as if it’s pulling in two directions at once. The lyrics explore inner conflict: being torn between choices, emotions, or versions of oneself. It’s about living in a state of emotional duality—wanting one thing while feeling another just as strongly. This track leans into contrast. The melody carries a gentle tension, often hovering rather than fully resolving. There’s a sense of imbalance in the harmonic movement, which reinforces the feeling of emotional division. Instrumentation remains minimal, but the phrasing feels more fragmented, creating a push-and-pull effect that mirrors inner conflict. The song made me feel Uneasy, but in a truthful way. It mirrored the feeling of being stuck between heart and logic. It made the EP feel deeply human. This song captures a moment most people experience but rarely articulate so clearly.
Next is the song “RULES DON’T APPLY”. There’s a sense of release right from the beginning. The rhythm feels freer, less restrained, as if something internal has finally snapped open. The lyrics suggest breaking away from imposed expectations—social, emotional, or self-inflicted. It’s not rebellion for drama’s sake, but a quiet refusal to live by rules that no longer fit. The song made me feel Liberated. Rhythm plays a stronger role here. The groove feels looser and more fluid, with a noticeable lift in momentum. Chord progressions feel more open-ended, and the vocal delivery carries more confidence and bite. Musically, this is one of the EP’s most freeing moments—less contained, more expressive, and emotionally assertive. It felt like permission to exist on my own terms without guilt. This track shifts the EP’s energy. It feels like a turning point where self-awareness becomes self-assertion.
The fourth song is called “WHAT’S LEFT”. The opening is stripped back and contemplative. There’s a sense of emotional emptiness being examined rather than avoided. The lyrics deal with the aftermath—what remains when something meaningful has ended. Whether it’s a relationship, a dream, or a version of self, the song sits with loss and asks honest questions instead of rushing to answers. Stripped-back and intimate, this track relies heavily on space and silence. Notes are allowed to linger, and the pacing is slow and deliberate. The instrumentation feels fragile, almost exposed, which heightens the emotional weight. The music never overwhelms the lyrics—it supports them with quiet, aching restraint. The song made me feel Heavy, but gentle. It brought up that quiet sadness that lingers long after the main pain has passed. This song is one of the most emotionally affecting moments on the EP. It deepened my connection to the project and slowed me down as a listener.
The second to last song is titled “BREATHE” Soft and spacious. The opening feels like an inhale—musically and emotionally—creating room rather than filling it. The lyrics focus on grounding and survival through stillness. It’s about learning to pause, regulate, and stay present when emotions threaten to overwhelm. As the title suggests, this song feels airy and expansive. The tempo is slow, with smooth transitions and gentle layering. Sustained tones and soft dynamics create a calming effect, almost meditative. The music flows rather than drives, encouraging stillness and emotional regulation. The song made me feel Calm and reassured. It felt like a musical reminder to slow my thoughts and return to my body. This song felt restorative. It acts as an emotional reset within the EP, offering comfort without minimizing struggle.
The concluding song is called “FEEL ALRIGHT”. The final track begins with a subtle uplift—nothing explosive, but noticeably lighter in emotional weight. Rather than promising happiness, the lyrics focus on okay-ness. It’s about accepting emotional fluctuation and recognizing that feeling “alright” is sometimes enough. The closing track carries a subtle uplift without becoming overtly upbeat. The melody is more settled, with warmer harmonies and a sense of resolution. Instrumentation feels fuller but still controlled, giving the song a reassuring, balanced sound. It closes the EP musically the way it opens emotionally—calm, honest, and grounded. The song made me feel Hopeful in a realistic way. It didn’t feel like a forced happy ending—more like emotional balance. This song closed the EP with quiet reassurance. I was left feeling understood rather than resolved, which felt intentional and honest
In an age where division seems to dominate the conversation, Weiss uses her music to search for—and find—common ground. Told powerfully through a fearlessly feminine lens, the tracks expose both profound vulnerability and undeniable strength.
All About Life is a testament to the idea that our connections are our true currency. It examines how they can lift us, weigh us down, and teach us to move through the world with empathy and kindness. The takeaway? This EP is a poignant reminder that time is fleeting. No achievement, no ambition, can ever truly replace the love and presence of those closest to us. It’s a powerful urge to embrace the relationships that matter most and to truly live fully in the one chance we get. Based on this collection, Shani Weiss has proven herself to be a fresh force to be reckoned with in the folk-rock sphere. This is definitely one artist we’ll be keeping a very close eye on!
Stream the “All About Life” EP on Spotify
Follow Shani Weiss here and her socials: Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp, YouTube
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