Track By Track: Amilli - 'Pulling Punches'
German rising star Amilli takes us through a track by track breakdown of her new EP ‘Pulling Punches’, which is her most self-assured and personal offering to date.
The EP:
This EP is much more "me" than the music I have released so far. After an unexpected start in the music world, I didn't really have time to figure out who I wanted to be and what I wanted to sound like. Although it's still a long way to go, I can say that I have taken a big step forward with this EP.
I wrote empowering songs, while others are fragile and emotional - about toxic relationships, helplessness and loneliness. I find comfort in processing these feelings through music.
Pulling Punches:
I wrote Pulling Punches about 2 years ago and it’s still my favourite song I’ve ever written. It’s about a toxic relationship and I like the fact that it sounds really rough and almost like it’s a live recording. Ever since the song exists, I performed it already on tour. People seemed to like it a lot, so i’m really excited to finally release the song.
Green Eyes:
In June, I went on a little trip to nature with Leo and Lukas (my producer & engineer) to make some music. ‘Green Eyes’ is a song that we made there in a few hours and it was a really spontaneous and impulsive process which I love. It had this special groove right from the beginning and it’s a love song from a very proud, confident and cherishing perspective rather than the typical vulnerable and selfless love song.
I’m Not Tryna Be Your Girl:
Earlier this year, me and my crew flew to Los Angeles to just relax and make some music. We had these little studio stations all over our house and made music everyday with this amazing city view. I wrote I’m Not Tryna Be Your Girl’ there and it’s supposed to be a really empowering song for all the girls out there to dance in the mirror to.
Alone in the Rain:
I wrote ‘Alone in the Rain’ last year on the piano and sometimes you lose the connection to a song slightly which was kinda the case with this one. I took it aside and during our Los Angeles trip, we recorded it all over again until I was 100% feeling the song. I love the fact, that the song initially has really sad lyrics but the vibe of the song is none of the less uplifting.
Kinky Looks:
During lockdown, I tried to write as many songs as possible which was more or less successful lol. ‘Kinky Looks’ was one of these songs I made back then. I also started to learn producing based on this, which was really fun.
Feature by Karla Harris
‘Pulling Punches’ EP follows Amilli’s 2019 debut EP ‘Wings’.