Music connects. We sure all have experienced once or twice (or many times if we were lucky enough) that stories told, melodies evolving in songs have evoked emotions and thoughts in us similar to those the artist felt and had while composing his or her music. It's a wondrous and wonderful moment, one of honesty and intimacy shared between a candid, creative mind and its receptive, welcoming audience. And it's one carpe carmina believes to have had multiple times whilst listening to Katie Ellen's debut release 'These Little Words'.
The first time carpe carmina came across the music of the talented vocal teacher was when being asked earlier this year to check on her then yet to be released single 'Can't We Just Be Friends'. Having been smitten with the emotionally alluring tune from the get-go, it was quickly decided to invite Katie to be part of carpe carmina celebrates - and what a stunning and heart-wrenching acoustic performance of the above mentioned song she delivered in june (check on it here)!
Equipped with atmospherically layered and dynamically rhythmic instrumentals, 'Can't We Just Be Friends' is now the singer/songwriter's chosen EP opener, highlighting her soft and soulful vocal tone still but pairing it with fine acoustic sounds and passionately driven electric guitar accents too. And with its powerful percussion-phrasing a strong-minded narrative unfolds about not taking chances with love when it ought to be friendship between two instead.
Followed by what appears to be the most ardently poignant and lyrically resolute composition on the record, 'Can't We Just Be Friends' is nonetheless one to linger on your mind for quite some time after listening to it, for it showcases Katie's warmly inviting vocal qualities all so well. Second offering 'One Reason', dramatically staged and complemented by on-point vulnerability in vocal style, reckons with a broken relationship and reaches its instrumental peak by putting on electric guitars in an emotionally intense and staggering fashion.
Getting acquainted with 'Half Way There' next, which presents itself as a captivating combo of dulcet, daringly vibrant and strongly expressive melodic features, means you are half way through the EP already - but no worries there is a beautifully ambient piano-focused version of it yet to come, serving as closing track of 'These Little Words' and on a lyrical level exposing the inner conflict between knowing what is right and doing what you long for.
Penultimate track 'Your Song (Out Of My Head)' wins the listener over with its darling and dreamy sound, with its sentimental and strong storytelling, with its sensitive and luring liaison between melodiously buoyant acoustic guitar nuances and subtle, wistfully thrilling electric guitar finish. It's a song that particularly strikes a chord with those who have parted with a lover and still can sense his or her appeal and effect on both their thinking and doing, one that certainly satisfies each listener with its gorgeous and delicate, smooth sonority.
And though the liverpool-based country songstress addresses a topic in her songs very often used in music before, it's her cordially inviting and heartfelt approach to it that makes 'These Little Words' have a great artistic aftermath.
Reach out & listen to Katie Ellen on ...
.. twitter ..... facebook ..... her official website ..... soundcloud ...
Make sure to regularly check on Katie Ellen's youtube channel as well as on her facebook feed for exclusive song premieres and acoustic sessions. You can also watch her perform live every now and then on concert window (next show due on sep. 10th: 'These Little Words' release concert).
Watch out for the digital and physical release of Katie Ellen's debut EP 'These Little Words' on friday.
