"You've Changed" starts off the EP with a very fun-loving, but at the same time, very serious song. The song talks about a friend who has changed, and is nothing like the person he was great friends with before. "I really, really hate to complain, but I liked the old you so much better," sums up the song perfectly. "Darling Why" is one of my favorite songs on the record, that shows Ruth's depressing side, but you cannot help love it because of how great the song sounds! "Life is Just a Dream" is one of the most fun-loving songs on the record, with the best opening to a song I have heard in a long time (once you listen to it, you will realize why I say this). The song has so many elements to it that make for a fun song to listen to, blare as loud as possible, and sing along to at the top of your lungs. Be prepared to want to sing along to it, even after just one listen.

"Love & Craigslist" has easily my favorite instrumentals on Payola, and some of the most intricate lyrics as well. I love how the song mixes the flowery topic of love with comedy, but still sounds absolutely amazing. You cannot help but smile when listening to this song; it is almost impossible. "Alone" takes another dive into depression, talking about sometimes wanting to be alone and feeling like he has nowhere to go in the world. One thing I love about the EP is that one minute you could be super happy, and then the next moment your at the lowest low. Payola is definitely a roller coaster ride from start to finish - you never know what turn or drop is going to happen next.

"My One and Only" opens up with some pretty sweet acoustic guitar work, that leads to more and more instrumentals joining in as the song goes along. The track is a very fun love song, that is one of my favorites near the end of the EP. "Summer Fire" closes it all out with one of the more slow songs on the EP, that quickly became my favorite song on Payola. My favorite line on the album comes in the chorus of the song, when Ruth says, "You can love me if you want to, but break me if you have to." The song is very emotional, and is one that I feel everything fell into place perfectly for. This is the song where I first fell really fell in love with his voice; and I have had it on repeat ever since.

Ruth lived up to the hype. Payola is an absolutely great EP, that I have fallen in love with - from start to finish. So many of the songs are just naturally fun-loving, but a few of the songs are also very sad and depressing, and the instrumentals do a great job of conveying the mood on each of the tracks. Payola is so interesting to listen to, and it seems like every time I do, I find something else I love about it. If you like rock music, or you just like good music, you will want to pick this up and blare it from your best stereo system. Ruth better not wait three more years to release something, because there is no way I can wait that long to hear new stuff from these guys.

Favorite Song: Summer Fire

This review has been reprinted on NRT with permission from The Christian Music Review Blog. Click here to visit today!