Growing up is inevitable. The loss of innocence in the process is also inevitable. The simultaneous experiences are explored in “Wildlife,” the newest single from Elba Rose, and the first of her forthcoming debut EP due to be released in 2022.
Hailing from Brighton, Elba Rose blends the gloss of electronic indie-pop with the melodies and depth of folk. Combined with lyrics of honesty and metaphor, her music comes with a noted sensitivity, delivered with a pop punch and depth of an artist in the making. Having grown up in a full household in the midst of the midlands, she was surrounded by varying music tastes – country from her parents and a dose of the 80s and Britpop from older siblings. This music continues to shape her distinctive sound. After relocating to Brighton and continued collaboration with producer SOMA, Elba Rose released a slew of singles in 2020 and is gearing up for her formal debut.
“Wildlife” is an anthemic coming-of-age track that, given its alternative pop/punk sensibilities, makes listeners feel like they’re experiencing the shift in experiences as the track progresses. The track’s layered sound features pounding beats, sliding strings, and distorting synths – it makes you feel like you’ve been dropped in the middle of a climactic point in a movie. Amidst the depth of the production, crisp vocals float with lines of wildlife growing and changing, an example of how Elba Rose uses metaphorical imagery within her writing. An explosive chorus, starting with almost-screamed vocalizations, rests above continued pounding beats; listeners are moved through the stages of the metaphor. The loss of youthful freedom is prominent within the lyrics.
This track makes for an exciting introduction to Elba Rose’s forthcoming EP. Be sure to follow along with her adventure as she continues to release more!