Jana Mila—Chameleon (Naked)

This EP is a reinterpretation of several tracks from Jana's "Chameleon" album, released just last year. In some ways, it feels a little soon to be revisiting material from such a recent release. While waiting for the album to be released, Jana says, "One rainy afternoon, I started thinking: if I have to keep this album to myself for now, why not use this time to dig even deeper into these songs?" The result is this EP, a more introspective reworking that explores new emotional layers within familiar territory.

All the tracks were recorded in a single take, entirely acoustic, with no overdubs. Not having heard the original album, I wanted to approach this release on its own merits, and it’s a great listen.

The EP opens with "Rosie", which for me is the standout track of the collection. It’s a biographical tale that unfolds in the same storytelling tradition as acoustic classics like "Streets of London" and "Fire and Rain". The lyrics carry a quiet poignancy, painting scenes that feel both personal and timeless. Jana’s voice is soft and unforced, with just a trace of fragility beneath the surface, giving the song an intimacy that feels genuine and deeply felt.

The next track is "I Wasn't Gonna", which lifts the tempo slightly, adding piano accompaniment to complement the acoustic guitar and vocals. There’s something instantly familiar about the song, though I can’t quite place why. It’s not a matter of plagiarism, more a sense that it echoes something I’ve heard before, which, given the universality of its melody and tone, is entirely possible.

Next up is the title track, another more laid-back piece that gives Jana’s voice room to soar at times, particularly in the chorus. For me, something felt a little missing in this version, so I took the opportunity to listen to the album version. While this EP version is indeed a faithful acoustic take, I couldn’t help but feel the song might have benefited from a more adventurous reinterpretation — perhaps something moodier or broodier that would have added new emotional depth.

The band Fleet Foxes immediately came to mind when "Like Only Lovers Could" began to play, particularly as the vocals entered. The harmonies are nicely layered, effortlessly drawing you in, and they set a reflective, almost ethereal mood that lingers throughout the track.

"Somebody New" initially feels like a light, upbeat track, but beneath the surface it reveals relational tension and emotional complexity. The contrast between the music’s brightness and the subtle undercurrents of frustration and longing gives the song a quiet depth.

The EP closes with "In Between", a relaxed, unhurried track that provides a gentle, contemplative way to end. Its soothing tone leaves a lingering sense of calm, perfectly rounding off the intimacy of the EP.

Going back over the tracks and their album equivalents, what stands out for me is that these versions feel too similar to the originals. When I hear "Naked" in the context of this release, I’m expecting something stripped back and raw. While some might argue that playing acoustically and recording everything in one take is as raw as it gets, there’s still a polish that keeps it from feeling truly untamed. Perhaps the short gap between the album and the EP contributed to this, with the original recordings still fresh in mind during the EP sessions.

That being said, taken on its own merits this is a great EP, with some wonderful tracks. Some would say it's maybe not as compelling for people who already own the album, but for some, when they're into an artists, they can't get enough.