"Sleep Tight" opens the EP as either a conversation with a dying person or a commitment to someone in the here and now. There's plenty of wrestling with faith in this song (consider the line, "What if Heaven isn't real?"), but it ultimately is hopeful in finding strength in the human connection. The sunny "Daydreamin'" revisits this theme from the angle of one who's a little too distracted to be helpful in a relationship. The poppy closer, "Ordinary Miracles," seems to be a prayerful response by wanting to slow down enough to appreciate everyday life.

But there's also a personal wrestling with feeling adequate in our dog-eat-dog world. "They Walk Among Us!" humorously looks at people who are comfortable in their own skin as being something "alien" in our world. "Make That Progress" spells out this theme the most plainly as Bourque concludes in the bridge, "I'm so obsessed with happy endings/I should sit back and let my life unfold/Steady as she goes..." "Terms and Conditions" carries the most angst against the way culture dupes us by making things seemingly convenient when it's all just a sham. It can also come off as an indictment against church leaders (and churches) who care more about their brand than their people.

Steady as She Goes is a tight EP and is probably Charming to the Last's best output yet. "Ordinary Miracles" (a single released earlier this year) is the odd addition in terms of sound (giving it more of a rock edge would have made it sound more uniform to the rest of the set), but its message is on point. There are plenty of artists coming to terms with the rat race we all find ourselves in. Some handle that artistically better than others. Put Charming to the Last in the "better" category. This 6-song collection is catchy, moves quick, and makes for a fun listen. Indie rock fans can rejoice for another solid release this year.

- Review date: 11/2/23, written by John Underdown of Jesusfreakhideout.com

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