PICK OF THE WEEK: ELLI INGRAM: ' SWEET & SOUR'

ELLI INGRAM, from gigging in small-town colourful Brighton to rocking a crowd of over 10,000 at Glastonbury, Elli Ingram is making them tidal waves in the music industry, and her time is very much now.

Ingram approaches music with a fearless and fiery attitude, which bursts through in her recorded music and live performance. This week’s Pick of the Week is ‘Sweet and Sour’, a flavoursome tune by the fast emerging young musician AND set to support Tom Grennan in our very own The Academy, Dublin this Saturday, 27th October. 

Backed by uplifting beats and joyful melodies, ‘Sweet and Sour’ takes us on an explorative journey through a winding relationship – the good and the bad, the highs and the lows, the Sweet and Sour. Elli provokes thought and reflection in her words in a unique way that remains fun and playful throughout and we find ourselves both uplifted by it’s endearing qualities and taken back by the raw honesty. In just one track, she manages to showcase many different angles of her insane talent. We witness an eclectic vocal range and a unique diversity in playing around with it, mixing alternate tones and tempos throughout. Elli delivers maturity and sophistication, while maintaining playful creativity in her craft. 

Owning a style which we describe as a modern blend of RnB, soul and jazz, Ingram creates a track that elevates the listener to a higher musical experience, stirring the kind of response every artist aims to achieve in their audience. We listen, we sing, we dance, and we feel.

Written by Aoife Chaney

PICK OF THE WEEK: GEEJAY - 'FLOWERS'

With the release of their first single ‘Horizon’ back in February of this year, UK soul sensation GEEJAY caught our attention and have held it tightly ever since. Fresh onto the music scene and already boasting supporting gigs with Plan B and Joel Baker (not to mention an unforgettable performance with us at The Soul Tree this Summer), Gina and Jacob are absolutely killing it with their live performances and late-night jam sessions. Their on-stage chemistry is a must-see for all you music lovers, but for now we are happy to introduce you to today’s ‘Pick of the Week’, FLOWERS, which you can feast your ears on without catching a live show. 

The track is an innovatively-reworked classic, and the result is a blossoming ballad packed with powerful vocals and vintage melodies. Sweet Female Attitudes ‘Flowers’ is sampled, stripped back and infused with elements of neo-soul, modern jazz and urban hip-hop in a way that only the most talented of musicians know how, and the unique rendition works absolutely perfectly.

Just seconds into the track we are introduced to bouncy beats and old-school intrumentalism that is typical of Jacob’s intriguing style of production. Gina’s vocals are both powerful and beautifully controlled from kick-off and remain so throughout, at times becoming raspy in all the right ways. Catering to a wide audience yet maintaining authenticity, ‘Flowers’ hold a perfect balance between attitude and romance. The combination of lyrics, melodies and vocals are a match made in heaven, highlighting the pairs unique talent and undeniable chemistry. 

In ‘Flowers’, the pair work together to create a groove that is unstoppable, and a track that is unmissable. Catch it here

PICK OF THE WEEK: CLEO SOL - 'WHY DON'T YOU'

Having experienced some success in the music industry as a teen, West London soul singer Cleo Sol returns from her hiatus with a newfound maturity which shines through her comeback track "Why Don't You", proving to us that her time is, without a doubt, now.

Beautifully crafted and flawlessly executed, "Why Don't You" introduces the listener to an ultimate chill vibe the second the first drum beats. The instrumentation unfolds to become nothing short of an orchestrated masterpiece, with the introduction of a sweet and almost eerie string sound that soothes while it chills.

Cleo's lyrics are beautifully downbeat and painfully real, softened by some sweet harmonies dancing in the background. The mood is lifted a little into the second half of the track when she picks up the pace and educates us with her words-

"So I try every day and I grow a little bit

Read a little more so I can educate my fears

Reap for my soul and cleanse my spirit

Pray cus I'm ready for the bloom of the sea

Peace and serenity is all that I need"

A track packed with life lessons and the rawest of honesty, "Why Don't You” is tangible proof of Cleo Sol's growth as a credible artist. Every single listen provokes a heartfelt experience which stays with us after the final beats have faded away.

Written by Aoife Chaney