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- March 28, 2022
British singer and songwriter Ella Henderson finally releases long-awaited sophomore album, Everything I Didn’t Say, after 7 year hiatus!
On March 11, British singer and songwriter Ella Henderson dropped her eagerly-awaited sophomore album, Everything I Didn’t Say, via Major Tom’s/Asylum Records and Warner Music. This release marks Henderson’s first full-length album since her 2014 debut Chapter One, as well as her first headline tour in almost seven years beginning in October of 2022.
Everything I Didn’t Say is a diaristic, 16-track record and first since the extraordinary breakthrough success of her Platinum-selling, UK No. 1 debut album, Chapter One. Written in a diary-like style, the album chronicles the eight years of life experience the former X-Factor star gained since her last LP, including themes of love, heartbreak, mental health and self-discovery, all set against a musical backdrop of both electronic and traditional instruments. Everything I Didn’t Say, an unfiltered story of both personal and artistic growth, is written with the relatability that initially catapulted Ella to stardom in 2012.
English singer and songwriter Tom Grennan and American singer and songwriter Mikky Ekko are featured on the album, along with production and co-writes from James Arthur, TMS, Fred Ball, Al Shux and Richard “Biff” Stannard amongst others. The album was preceded by the release of singles “Let’s Go Home Together” (with Grennan) and “Brave,” as well as the title track, which was released as a promotional single in countdown to the album’s release.
Everything I Didn’t Say begins with upbeat “Emotions,” which serves to kick off the album and usher in a whole new Ella, with a stirring blend of fun, poppy instrumentals and the golden voice that has only since matured since the young artist’s debut back in 2014. This opening track also sets the tone for the rest of the LP with the dissonance between energetic pop instrumentals and pensive, often brutally honest lyricism reflecting on the artist’s growth since her first musical debut. “It’s okay not to be okay,” Ella sings, embracing the “self-care climate” that artists have been advocating for in the recent years in the music industry.
Her honesty carries over into other of her equally powerful break-up anthems later on in the album, such as “What About Us” and “Sorry That I Miss You,” the latter of which embraces a sort of stripped piano-ballad feel sound. “Now I wanna pick a fight and make a giant out of something small,” Ella sings, confronting the messy feelings that arrive in the wake of a brutal separation.
One of the album’s most notable performances has to be “Brave,” one of the album’s lead singles. Released before Everything I Didn’t Say’s debut, the single was accompanied by a moving music video depicting the hardships faced by a single mother in her everyday life.
Everything I Didn’t Say also includes Ella’s fifth UK Top 10 track, “Let’s Go Home Together” with Tom Grennan, an additional duet with multi-platinum selling American artist Mikky Ekko (“Cry On Me”). The album also features fan favorite “Ugly,” which lyrically sees Henderson singing about embracing her own flaws and fighting the bandwagon urge to “fit in” and being one’s own most unique self.
“Thank You for the Hell” also demonstrates Ella’s songwriting diversity, where the alt-pop vibe is disrupted by a refreshing new country-pop take. Her voice, continuing to carry and dominate, enhances her other tracks, such as “I Will Survive” and “Good Things Take Time.”
The album wraps up with “Places,” which is one of Ella’s most soulful and powerful vocal performance on this LP yet. Mixed just right to feel like catharsis, the multi-talented artist takes this final opportunity to remind her loyal listeners of her vocal prowess and her musical worth, leaving a final note as resoundingly powerful as it is sweet.
In short, this album is a prestigious achievement, obviously created with no small amount of blood, sweat, and heart. Ella bested a series of continuous setbacks that kept this album from debuting earlier than its current release, and the result is nothing to sneeze at. With this album, this burgeoning artist has proven sixteen times over that her musical prowess hasn’t diminished one mite since her debut years ago.
To celebrate the release of her sophomore album, Everything I Didn’t Say, Ella will be embarking on her first headline tour in seven years. For a full list of dates, locations, and ticket availability, check out Ella’s website here.
Fans can now enjoy Ella Henderson’s sophomore album, Everything I Didn’t Say, here.
