Ellur and the future of indie sound

For fans of Nieve Ella, Holly Humberstone and Stevie Bill, there's an exciting artist breaking through onto the scene right now that you'll want to keep an eye on. Ellur has surpassed all expectations on her latest EP release, 'God Help Me Now' and is making a vibrant mark with their contribution to the future of indie music.

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Via Instagram: @ellurmusic

Ellur's velvet-like vocals create a real depth to these delicate yet emotionally stirring coming-of-age tracks, beginning with the poignant titular track, 'God Help Me Now'. Lyrics like 'I think too much, I'm all out of fucks' provide an intimate connection between Ella and the listener, and the intentionally confessional lyrics provide a comforting hug to those figuring out their life, finding themselves working through the state of chaotic confusion that is growing up. The honesty that lies within the lyrics feels deeply existential, but in a world where everyone feels the dizziness of navigating the world around us at times, there is a solace being offered with this refreshing vulnerability. The repetition of 'Tell me how to feel / God help me now' following this feels like a panicked shout to the void, searching for someone to hear their calling and provide an answer, or even just validation of the loss of hope. Reaching the end of the track, we reach a moment of real introspection with the lines 'Just show me love I swear I'll change / I'll be better, something great'. The sense of urgency is palpable with this final plea for change, and wanting to be something more.

'Your Dog' hits with intensity and intrigue, making you lean in, waiting for what comes next. Comparatively more delicate than the first, the track still lands hard with its sharp, cunning lyrics. Respect is not reciprocated in this tale of unbalanced power that Ella retells retrospectively. Lines like 'I was sixteen, you were older and cool' and 'I pretended like I didn't care / I was the cool girl that let you shag around' capture so perfectly a time when you thought you were in control, you were calling the shots, but really, the influence here is all an illusion. In the face of disrespect, keeping a nonchalant image can mask the hurt of someone hurting you. Following this with 'you made me feel like your dog' truly lets the heartache bubble to the surface of the track and takes real ownership of the emotions they were made to feel by this individual. She taps into the vulnerability within the dynamic, and the storytelling element of the song can resonate so deeply with the listener. Their rich voice leads the track so beautifully and it is a real treasure within the EP and overall discography.

Ellur has credited CMAT as an inspiration for the track, recalling how she once advised a festival crowd to take the hurt they are experiencing and 'milk it as much as possible.' Speaking to Clout, she shared 'That night I got home and wrote this song... it's just an exploration of pain, turning my experience of pain into art and something to celebrate.' The track’s overall cathartic release carries a certain charm, making it a story many can see themselves in, and providing a turning point within the story the EP narrates.

Photo by Simon Walker Photography

The lyrics within 'Yellow Light' say it all - 'I act like a dick and blame it on my northern blood.' This track is laced with The 1975-esque, earworm catchiness. It feels lighthearted and offers relief beside the more emotionally explorative parts of the EP. It feels like a classic indie song that will be adored for years to come. It champions the journey of learning to acknowledge and love all of the parts of yourself, even giving props to the more undesirable traits. While it remains simple lyrically, it allows the listener to truly hone into the sound and is a great track for new fans of Ellur to discover her music.

Talking to Dork about the song, Ella explained that they 'intentionally left the meaning pretty open ended within the lyrics because this song is really all about the melodies'. She has managed to capture the perfect formula for a well-rounded, enjoyable tune.

To round off an EP with 'Mourning Song' is a powerful move from Ellur, showing real strength with such a beautiful payoff. The track is wholly born from a vulnerable place, it is innately open to delving into the idea of loss. Lyrics like 'You're a sickness / I yearn for you' and 'I mourn you / You turn into someone else' showcase Ellur's ability to express deep melancholy and face the harsh realities of accepting change in an overt, yet subtle way. It is sincere, and their songwriting is at the heart of the track. A lot of listeners will walk away from this EP holding this song dear to them, it is a beautiful, powerful piece of work.

Ellur possesses a genuine talent as an emerging artist. 'God Help Me Now' is a collection of no-filler, entirely impactful songs. Watching Ella's career begin to take off over the past few months has been a delight, and this release feels like a turning point to see this rise soar to even higher places.