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Markley has returned with her second EP, Breathe. Produced by noted singer-songwriter Scott Krippayne, Breathe features seven songs including a wonderfully stripped down version of Monsters and Men s Little Talks which plumb the depths of such topics as relationships, personal struggles, empowerment and having hope. The swelling pop-meets-folk-meets-Americana title track inspires with its exhortation to press on in spite of your struggles. The playfulness of the piano keys and the joy heard in Markley s heavenly vocals on Yesterday s Rain prove how freeing it is to move on from a bad relationship, and her impassioned lament on the Sixpence None the Richer-esque mid-tempo number Home challenges the listener to appreciate what they have in their lives. Whether singing a piano ballad about being on the cusp of a new relationship as she does on the beautifully poetic More than Friends, or struggling with conflicting emotions about a guy who isn t ready for a real relationship in the dreamy Alone, Markley is always looking for the silver lining. And even if the person who needs encouraging is herself as she continues to dream of being with a guy in the gorgeous, echoing acoustic pop number You and Me, she performs just as passionately as she would if the song wasn t based on personal experience. Encouraging others to not let life s difficulties swallow them up brings her joy, which is why music is so important to her. It s a big part of my life because even if it s other people s music, I ve always tried to find songs that are inspiring, Markley says. Music has helped me get through difficult times, and I love how your mood can change entirely just by listening to one song. Markley s music invites you to experience a host of different moods throughout Breathe. Her strong, clear vocals resonate on tracks like Breathe, and there are moments on More than Friends where, if you listen carefully, you can hear Markley smiling as she sings particular lyrics. Thes