Fifteen-year-old singer-songwriter Mason Mitchell is stepping into the spotlight with the release of his debut EP, “Second First Love,” arriving Aug. 23 on all major streaming platforms, according to a news release.
The four-track project introduces Mitchell’s sharp lyrical voice, warm vocals and a genre-blending sound that bridges country-pop, acoustic storytelling and youthful nostalgia, the release said.
An EP, or extended play, is a type of musical release that falls between a single and a full-length album in terms of length and number of tracks.
Leading the EP is the shimmering summer single “Keys to My Heart,” featuring Lorain vocalist Jaclyn Bradley.
The song captures the rush of new love and the vulnerability of opening up to someone for the first time, the release said.
Produced in Nashville by Austin Moorhead and recorded in Ohio with engineer Jordan Alegant, “Keys to My Heart” pairs Mitchell’s emotional honesty with polished, radio-ready instrumentation, the release said.
“The moment I finished writing ‘Keys,’ I knew it had to be the first track people heard,” Mitchell said in the release. “It’s fun and catchy, but it also comes from a real place. Working with Austin and Jordan brought the song to life in a way I couldn’t have imagined, and Jaclyn’s voice just elevated everything. It really set the tone for the whole EP.”
The EP continues with “Second First Love,” a tender, stripped-back song about the hope of falling in love again after heartbreak.
Produced and recorded entirely with Alegant, the track showcases Mitchell’s acoustic roots and storytelling strength.
“Jordan understood the heart of this song from the first take,” Mitchell adds. “We kept it raw and real because that’s how it was written — just me and a second chance.”
“Talk of the Town,” the final track on the EP, was produced in Nashville by Moorhead and captures the complex emotions of watching someone you once loved become everyone else’s fascination.
It tells the story of a girl who, after a breakup, becomes the center of attention — leaving the narrator behind in her shadow.
“It’s about that feeling when someone moves on and suddenly everyone’s talking about them,” Mitchell explains. “She’s everywhere, and you’re left with the part no one else sees.
“There’s jealousy in it, but also this quiet kind of heartbreak.”
The EP also features a reimagined version of his fan-favorite track “Stranger,” produced by Tommy Oakley in Los Angeles is revisiting the themes of identity and emotional isolation with new sonic textures and a more mature vocal delivery, the release said.
Mitchell’s music already has begun to gain momentum across Northeast Ohio.
His recent singles, heartfelt performances and growing social media following have made him a standout in the local scene.
Mitchell will celebrate the release of his debut EP with two live performances: Aug. 9 at the Lorain Better Block festival and Aug. 15 at Mongo Music Festival.
“This EP is the most personal thing I’ve ever made,” Mitchell says. “Every track is a snapshot of where I am right now — what I’ve felt, what I’ve learned, and where I want to go next. I’m so proud of this project and so grateful to everyone who helped shape it.”
Fans can pre-save the EP now through links on Mitchell’s social media page @masonmitchellmusic.