Album Review: Ella Grace – 'Reverence'
Rising singer-songwriter Ella Grace finds her voice on gorgeous debut album ‘Reverence’.
Born out of the premature ending of a budding relationship, ‘Reverence’ finds Ella deep in contemplation, exploring her sexuality and finding liberation through self-acceptance.
"This album represents the end of pretending,” she explains. “Last year I fell in love with a woman and realised I’d been pretending to be someone I wasn’t. In place of that pretending rushed in these very real, raw parts of me. The album tells that story, of falling in love with a woman, discovering myself again, and the surrender that comes with heartbreak.”
Carried by Ella’s warm vocals and her marvellous songwriting, ‘Reverence’ gives life to 11 introspective tracks, each captivating in its own right and infused with a boatload of emotions. Spanning an eclectic sonic palette from roaring guitars to elegant piano, the album cleverly evades being tied to any kind of genre. If you’re looking for a label, “truthful” or “raw” might be the word of the hour. Every inch of Ella’s debut is honest to the bone. Sweet, catchy melodies wrap around a heart-on-sleeve lyricism, bringing with them stories of heartache and longing. Whether she is yearning for closure on ‘I Wonder’, skating on ‘Nine’’s groovy basslines, or finding solace in the urgent emotions of ‘Whole Again’, Ella never fails to amaze with beautifully structured soundscapes. But what pushes ‘Reverence’ into top tier territory is standout track and empowering ballad ‘She Looked Like Me’. To a delicately woven backdrop, Ella captures the essence of strength: “[It’s] about how I see myself in the women around me. Even if it's just a woman I see on the tube who looks tired and done with her day, working a 9-5 and trying to keep up with the beauty standards of the 21st century, I see the power she has beneath the surface and I wish for her to discover it one day. I wish for all women to be able to recognise and reconnect with their unique power and essence because outside of this Patriarchal society there is so so much more to us.”
Soulful and poignant, ‘Reverence’ is the result of Ella’s ongoing mission to create safe spaces of exploration, expression, growth and taboo-breaking conversations. A flawless debut from an exciting new artist gearing up for big things to come.
Words by Laura Freyaldenhoven