Is Ruby Duff a future IDOL?

'Where Do Odd Socks Go?' by Ruby Duff feels like her most liberated work yet. This experimental alt-pop body of work is eccentrically bold, blending every influence Ruby has cited as an inspiration into something uniquely her own. Duff has achieved so much within this lively four-track run, and is a vibrant addition to today’s music scene.

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‘Undressed’ marks a grand entrance Ruby’s latest collection of tracks, blending cinematic production with daring, eccentric vocals. It provides a compelling taster of the many sides of Duff as an artist, unpredictable in nature, and creating a bold soundscape that is unafraid to push boundaries as an emerging musician. You can almost picture 'Undressed' soundtracking the most dramatic moment of a 'femme fatale' murder mystery, with its palpable intensity and divine theatric presence. Duff shifts between her lower register and airy, ethereal vocals to provide a versatile, dynamic track that feels fresh and interesting. The repetition of ‘I want it all’ through the track feels like a foreshadow for Duff’s promising career path, if future releases maintain this high quality and daring originality. Ruby achieves emotional depth and richness to the production that makes it an apt choice as the opening track for this EP, as we eagerly await what she has conjured up next.

Photograph: @milobrown_photography

‘IDOL’ is fearlessly confident, not a trace of nerve or hesitation present on this track. This is the kind of music that backs Ruby’s vision for herself and her position as she slams down doors within the music industry, taking up the space she deserves. While unapologetic and demanding, it remains lighthearted and fun, driven by a funk-infused bass and beats that provide an unwavering energy to the song. 'IDOL' is an embodiment of shaking off outside opinion, and celebrating the true wins in whatever form they present themselves.

For independent artists, this mentality is so vital. Duff has acknowledged the challenges of releasing music in a post pandemic world, but the payoff can be so validating, and owning that power and allowing yourself to feel it makes the outcome worth the hardship. Ruby shared with Karama Magazine that she ‘wouldn’t say it was one triumphant moment as such, but more a combination of small wins that reminded me sometimes you need to back yourself and regardless of what others say, show the world and own that you’re a mother******* idol’. This is entirely relatable to anybody self funding and supporting a project or creative pursuit, and a song like this just reminds you exactly who you are, and outwardly showing that strong, iconic version of yourself lets others understand what you bring to the table. Pair this back-to-back with JADE’s 'It Girl' - and you have yourself a playlist that allows you to feel unstoppable, which we love!

Artwork via @clxmmorris

The most engaging, memorable EP’s those that lull you into one sense of direction, only for a track to appear that shifts your expectations entirely. ‘Glitterball’ does exactly that, slowing down the tempo to allow Ruby’s whimsical, beautiful vocals to glisten. A true standout on the record, it is comparably more tender and earnest than the previous tracks, with lyrics that carry a haunting presence as the ballad develops.

There is a warmth within this song, possessing a sentimental quality not dissimilar from Remy Bond’s music (imagine that collaboration one day…) It allows you to drift into the feeling of every word, every note, entirely absorbed into the world of 'Glitterball'.  Her voice feels velvety and dreamlike, yet she is able to seamlessly shift into a more melancholic, after-hours sound. The arrangement is brilliant, and the track is captivating to the listener, acting as a testament to Ruby’s artistry.

A gorgeous, ‘Norman Fucking Rockwell’-esque introduction sets the tone to round out 'Where Do Odd Socks Go?' as we reach ‘Waves (Hope Lies Ahead)’. Ruby’s voice feels like someone running their fingers through your hair, soft and intimate, before she almost interrupts herself as her richer, more mature vocal tone kicks in when the track progresses. Piano and guitar rifts provide the track’s musical highlights and as we reach the latter half of the song, and we enter an nostalgic atmosphere that Ruby has built for us. As she reflects on love and her story so far, this sound carries an essence of a Stevie Nicks b-track, timeless in the best possible way. 'Waves (Hope Lies Ahead)' closes the body of work on an optimistic note, embracing the past and radiating a feeling of hope for what is next to come.

'Where Do Odd Socks Go?' is a delightful jumble sale of sounds, making this a beautifully experimental piece of work. It is a multi-genre exploration, allowing Ruby Duff to tap into every sonic resource at her disposal to create a sound that feels so familiar yet is completely, uniquely, her. Ruby is a gem in the independent music scene, and is definitely one to watch as her career evolves. This year feels like it will be a real turning point for Duff with the release of this EP, as well as the announcement of her support slot for ‘The Hoosiers’ on their upcoming tour this March.