Album number 4, I have been aware of this young lady for the last two of her records.
As a DJ I had been privy to the singles lifted from the albums for airplay.
I can honestly say that they were fun, but to my ears, unremarkable, blues rock.
Now I say this as I am not the biggest blues rock fan, I appreciate the craft and the playing ability, but it doesn’t really float my boat.
And that’s where this album strikes a different chord. It is still a blues album, but there’s more to it. Almost, poppy dare I say.
And it works brilliantly because of it.
Elles has been quoted in the press releases in the lead up to this album as saying that she is currently placing melody at the top of her songwriting agenda, and it shows.
All of the songs on this album, be them upbeat country style numbers or slower burning blues rock flavours, are loaded with hooks.
And that’s where I think this album appeals to a potentially larger audience, like me, but at the same time, she hasn’t jettisoned her style or sound.
More refined it and sharpened a few edges, in the best way possible.
The music still jangles along with a lot of her long standing influences of blues/folk/Americana lingering over it’s sound, whilst still being held together by Elles smokey and powerful voice.
But where previously it felt like her work was for the blues crowd, on this album the ghost of KT Tunstall hangs heavy as those lighter, and again I’m going to say it, poppier moments appear from time to time creating a sound that’s a little more universal.
It’s a wonderful thing, as I am of the thinking that more people will get to hear Elles beautiful voice.
It could be due to the heavier use of acoustic guitars that remind me of KT at her most introspective, or it could be the voice as both of them possess a beautiful tone that hooks the listener in.
But when KT slows down it’s usually just her and a guitar, Elles brings her band into the song to create a multilayered sonic quilt of emotions and sounds.
I don’t want to pick out any particular songs, simply because I don’t think you should really pick through this album, it’s glow should be soaked up in one listen, and because of it’s succinct quality, the 10 songs don’t outstay their welcome, blipping by with ease, trust me, it’ll be over before you know it and you will be reaching for the replay button.
So, Elles Bailey, I am reminded of a bizarre comparison, someone once said to me that Pendulum are drum’n’bass for people that don’t usually like drum’n’bass, and I’m thinking that maybe Elles Bailey might just be blues for folks that might not usually like the blues!
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