Lilith Max Brings Feminism Into Fairytales on New EP ‘Call Down The Dragon’ (Review)

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

From the 2024 single ‘Bears & Wolves‘ to her latest EP ‘Call Down the Dragon‘, German-born Lilith Max continues to bring us fairytales with intriguing lyrics and a feminist twist. 

The biggest difference between these releases is symbolised in the covers. Where ‘Bears & Wolves‘ shows the singer at the mercy of unknown figures, in ‘Call Down the Dragon‘, she stands tall and strong, wielding a sword in a full suit of armour. The message here is clear: Lilith Max is fighting back.

But what about the music? With five songs on this project, what stories can the Texas-based actress-turned-singer spin us this time?

Seraph

The catchy folk-pop style of this first song brings something different to the table every time you listen. The final mixdown accentuates the vocals to an almost intimate level, suiting Max’s breathy style to a T. However, from the beginning of the song, this is juxtaposed with luscious strings in the accompaniment. It perfectly suits the fantasy castle ideology. I’m particularly a fan of how she alternates double and triple timings in the vocals, creating an unnervingly calm feeling. 

Lyric highlight: “I ask if you’re an angel / You don’t know what that means / I wonder, can I hurt you? / And would you even bleed?”.

Maiden’s Night

Here we see Max playing with tonality. The singer mixes more positive major sections at the beginning of the song, with a darker, minor-oriented ending. There is also a distinct waltz timing which matches the dancing imagery throughout. Overall, the mix is more balanced with the story clear throughout.

The song could be interpreted as a description of Imbolc, a Pagan holiday celebrated at the beginning of February. During this festival, followers honour the coming of Spring as a time of new beginnings and set intentions for the year ahead. This holiday often highlights the maiden Goddess Brigid, perhaps the inspiration for the maiden accent of the song.

As is implied here, this holiday can be observed by spending time in nature. This includes lighting bonfires, gathering to share a meal, and preparing yourself for the new year ahead. Given the feminist undertones of Lilith’s work and the context of this track, whether intentional or implied, could this perhaps reference a new beginning in the power of women standing together?

Lyric highlight: “Don’t worry, go back to sleep / No need to know where I will be / As you drift off, I feel alive / On the Maiden’s Night.”.

Call Down the Dragon

In this high-fantasy setting, the story we are told is accented by the real emotion of its lead. The lyrics utilise nature imagery to help the listener visualise her rage and desire for freedom. Alongside this, the backing is dramatic, with instrumentation and rhythms stereotypically reserved for media set in the depths of nature or history. As the song swells into a heavy longing the bridge suddenly cuts in with hopeful melancholy. It provides a short reprieve before heading back into the full emotional tale Max is telling.

Lyric highlight: “And the people I trusted have let go / I’m afraid of the debts I owe.”

Dark Erl King

The fourth song on the new release, Max firmly leans into the dark fantasy aesthetic with Tolkien-esque lyrics. To accent this, the melody is centered lower in the singer’s vocal range than those above. All this floats alongside a simple backing track that highlights the story without becoming overpowering, even as it grows towards the end of the song. As the tale grows, we gradually become aware of what sounds like the village implied in the lyrics singing the backing vocals. It gives a haunting air to the song that serves to emphasise the dark aesthetic.

Lyric highlight: “Hunters search the villagе, every knob and nook / Soon, they run out of places to look / And mother feels terror growing from within / They haven’t checked the lands of the Dark Erl King.”

Set in Stone

The final song on Max’s new EP is the most upbeat and traditionally pop-rock sounding. With a strong accompaniment, there is a lovely mix of electronic and acoustic instruments alongside contrasting staccato and legato themes. Overall, this feels like protest writing but in an easier-to-understand, story-like format. The fantasy elements ease the harsh reality of the narrative, the anger and disgust hidden in this tale.

Lyric highlight: “Don’t wait for them to save you / Start a storm in your wake / All it takes is a pebble / So watch the whole dam break.”

Rating: 8/10

Lilith Max is on Instagram, X, Threads, and TikTok. Stream the EP below and read more reviews here.

About The Author