Los Angeles via Salt Lake City powerhouse vocalist and musician Mykel has officially unveiled her debut EP Hometown Runaway, a six-track project that resonates with raw honesty and emotional depth. Released last month, the record captures the turbulence of leaving home, confronting inner battles, and embracing new beginnings. Mykel celebrated the milestone with a live performance at Permanent Records Roadhouse in Los Angeles on November 13, a fitting stage for an artist whose voice and vision demand to be heard in full.
The EP is a sweeping exploration of themes that cut to the core of human experience: ego death, imposter syndrome, faith, and self-worth. Mykel’s commanding vocals soar over lush, expansive production, creating a soundscape that is both cinematic and intimate. Collaborating with GRAMMY-nominated producer Yang Tan (Janelle Monáe) and multi-platinum engineer Gehring Miller (Giveon, Ella Mai), she recorded at the legendary Record Plant Studios in LA, ensuring the project carries both technical polish and emotional grit.
About the New Release — At its heart, Hometown Runaway is a story of rediscovery. Mykel admits that she nearly gave up on music, but hitting rock bottom became the catalyst for her artistic rebirth. The EP blends pop sensibilities with R&B textures, offering a space for her to redefine herself without the weight of industry expectations. As she explains, “I wanted to take all the nuances of my journey and put it into a body of work that represented me. Not what the industry or society wanted of me or told me would sell.” This declaration of independence makes the project both liberating and vulnerable.
The title track, Hometown Runaway, serves as a love letter to the many facets of her identity. It’s a song that embraces contradiction, acknowledging that one can love both their hometown and their adopted city, and that uncertainty is part of the journey. Mykel describes it as “an anthem for sitting in the nuance of who you are,” a message that resonates with anyone who has left behind familiarity to chase something bigger. The track balances pride with bittersweet reflection, embodying the courage it takes to leave everything behind.
Among the standout songs is How Do You Know, which Mykel calls her “405 spiral song.” It’s an anxious yet danceable anthem, perfect for long drives and restless nights. Critics have praised its ability to transform unease into motion—Melodic Magazine noted that “Mykel transforms anxiety into motion,” while Voxwave Magazine highlighted its existential undertones, describing it as “a soundtrack to inner anxiety that still makes you move and smile.” This duality—finding joy in chaos—is a hallmark of Mykel’s artistry.
Another highlight is Brace For Impact, the EP’s lead single released in September. Written after surviving a near-fatal car accident, the track meditates on mortality, gratitude, and resilience. With soulful conviction, Mykel delivers lyrics that feel both intimate and monumental. Other Side Reviews captured its essence perfectly: “Mykel’s voice, commanding, soulful, and unflinchingly honest, anchors the track with a gravitas that feels both intimate and monumental.” It’s a song that doesn’t just recount survival—it celebrates the strength found in vulnerability.
About The Artist — Raised Mormon in Salt Lake City, Utah, and now based in Los Angeles, Mykel’s journey is as layered as her music. With a background in musical theater, she brings a dramatic flair to her performances, combining grandiose vocals with storytelling that captivates audiences. Her voice has echoed through Staples Center and Dodger Stadium, and her songs have appeared in Lifetime movies, BRAVO shows, and Love Island. Yet despite these achievements, she remains a self-proclaimed industry outsider, determined to carve her own path. Her sound blends the emotional grit of H.E.R. with the powerhouse delivery of Adele, rooted in R&B but sculpted into pop that feels deeply personal.
Our Thoughts — With Hometown Runaway, Mykel delivers more than just a debut EP—she offers a manifesto of resilience, truth, and self-discovery. Each track feels like a chapter in her journal, chronicling the highs and lows of leaving home, confronting faith, and embracing imperfection. What makes this release so compelling is its refusal to chase trends; instead, it delivers messages that are timeless and deeply human. Mykel’s conviction shines through every lyric, and her ability to balance vulnerability with strength makes this project a powerful introduction to her artistry.
Hometown Runaway is not just an EP—it’s a statement, and one that positions Mykel as a voice to watch in the indie pop and R&B landscape.
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