‘ACT NATURAL’ by PENNY BEVERLY | EP REVIEW
July 31 2025 | Written By Lauren Ketterl
Indie-pop group Penny Beverly released their newest EP titled “Act Natural” on May 23rd, and it is full of the summer hits we’ve all been waiting for. The group hasn’t released music since their 2023 EP “Something Else,” and it’s safe to say all good things take time.
The now, Los Angeles-based group, comprised of Duncan MacEachern, Michael Mazzocco, and Shane Tanksley, brings together an uplifting vibe along with stimulating melodies that pull in listeners to their music. This five-song EP really embraces change and the transformations we go through in our everyday lives. They discuss relatable situations and turn them into hits
The song ‘Laugh at You’ has an upbeat tone that master’s the feel-good vibe while spitting some contradictory lyrics. The first line of the song, “Just tired of it all, everything’s a game, it’s got me feeling wasted, what can I say,” is a perfect example of this. It follows the themes of self-exploration and accepting the little things in life that are out of reach.
‘Don’t panic’ has a mellow uplifting beat and closes off the EP with a very positive vibe. The lyrics “We live in a beautiful world” show this expression of positivity and gratitude. It is a beautiful song that puts listeners in a positive and appreciative mood.
The song ‘Liminal’ perfectly takes on its song title. The word meaning “being an intermediate phase or state” perfectly describes this song, which talks about having all these emotions and feelings, and how communicating can help something from falling apart. The song ‘The Way I Do’ has a similar beat to ‘Liminal’ and discusses how this person is and that they are proud of the way they are and the way they do.
Last up, ironically, is the song ‘Waiting’ which talks about waiting for change and having the day drag on, waiting for the end of the day to come. The slower melody gives credit to the lyrics and provides a softer sound compared to others on the album.
Overall, the new EP exceeds expectations and possibly passes their previous EP “Something Else”. Needless to say, the more music this group puts out, the better it gets.