Being a live performance recording, Deep Water has just enough rough edges to re-assure the listener that the talent on show is for real, and actually is playing live. Musically, the pre-chorus chords echo Eminem’s My Name Is, but influences aside, Elta Wave are exploring a soulful pop that has an indie edge and a nod to the 70s – courtesy of sound choices.
Chris Porter
Jill has a sweet, bluesy voice, delivering the attention-seeking lyric with an authentic, slightly clipped enunciation that recalls the 1920s, all flappers and Lindy Hops! It displays wit, confidence and imagination in spades – and I hope lots of people get to hear this catchy little number, Because Jill Sargeant’s done a great job with it.
The melodies that Megan delivers capture that breathlessness, cleverly using her breathing as a part of the instrumentation. The way she wraps her delivery around the sweet anticipation and nervousness as she hits the big notes on the chorus is tantalising and exciting indeed. Faster made my heart beat faster. It’s a brilliant piece that deserves your attention.
An achingly poignant lyric that (sadly) still holds true today, By My Silence essentially details how it’s wholly possible to be complicit in awful (or just unfair) things coming to pass by remaining fearful, passive and silent about them. It’s a lovely version of a melancholy-drenched tune.
Exploring themes of obsession and jealousy (and over far too quick, in my opinion), Mine feels modern and personal and would grace any angsty playlist going. The beautifully-recorded vocals and intricate backing track do a fabulous job of exploring how overwhelming obsession can feel. Love it. It’s a gloopy delight, with a magic vocal.
Mashing up spoken word, hardcore, rock, pop and more besides, we are taken by the hand and yanked through a blizzard of exciting changes. The highly intelligent and witty mix makes features out of the shouted word ‘fuck’ one minute and a single delicate tap of the bell of a ride cymbal the next.
Rock Bottom has, at its heart, an epic sensibility that is screaming out to be synced to a film – probably over the end credits. Yep, it’s that good. It might be a slightly quirky take on indie pop, but that’s exactly what indie pop should be. This track is essential listening.
It sounds like an intentional anthem to me: full of aspirational language, flourishes of gospel ad-libbing and a choir of supporting voices adding warming colours that bloom into the arrangement as the piece progresses. Come on, America – you’d better do as it says.
All-in-all, The Rocky Coast of Maine is a stand-alone triumph, fulfilling its own mythology in its own run time. It’s beautifully played, beautifully told and is a haunting testament to folk music songwriting. Lovely.
The beautiful vocals on California Sunset mark Art Auré out as an exceptional and singular vocalist. The vocal range on display is highly accomplished, ranging from surprisingly low and intimate to fresh and impassioned, and the different vibrato speeds and incredibly elastic control are also extremely impressive.
Channeling Avici-style vibes, Take Me Back is an uptempo adrenalin-soaked rush through the sort of nostalgia-soaked lyrical adventures that have done very good business in recent years.
The combination of drums, piano, acoustic guitars and synth strings are arranged in a perky, staccato style that keeps proceedings marching along and provides punchy accompaniment to the smoothly-sung vocals. This is not painting by numbers, there’s some smart choices being made.