Ellie Bleach builds a cinematic world on ‘Whole Lotta Nothing’
Occasionally, a singer emerges with a remarkable talent for crafting a distinctive musical ambience. Their songs effortlessly evoke the nostalgic atmosphere of smoky bar backrooms yet manage to retain an invigorating freshness. An undeniable aura about them captivates listeners, drawing them into their unique sonic world. Ellie Bleach is one such artist.
Introducing herself as a fascinating world-building writer back in 2021 with her incredible EP, No Elegant Way To Sell Out; the short play was endlessly witty. On ‘Doing Really Well Thanks’, Bleach’s signature humour had me instantly hooked into her Cabaret style. It was campy and fun in a way that few artists dare to try and even fewer pull off. But she did it with a wink, a laugh, and a luxurious instrumental.
When the next release rolled around, I wondered how she would live up to it. But her 2023 singles ‘Pamela’ and ‘Lakehouse’ self-assuredly sidestepped into a different world with new characters and new intrigue. Using her music to make characters and find sounds to suit their style, Bleach’s work is maturely multi-faceted and 3D for such a fresh artist.
Her new offering, ‘Whole Lotta Nothing’, keeps the quality up but in a different way. While still rich with innuendo and humour, maintaining the same thick nostalgic vibe, Bleach allows herself to cut through more. Even if those feelings are exaggerated and projected into some made-up bar, there is real emotion here in her crooning performance.
“I wanted ‘Whole Lotta Nothing’ to sound like a dive bar at 3am, as if the narrator is singing to an empty room besides the janitor and barkeep,” the singer said of the track. She more than succeeds. The lounge band sound and the saxophone bridge are nothing short of cinematic. It’s the sort of piece to play through your headphones on a moody, heartbroken walk or play loud in the shower if you need a dramatic cry.
It’s music for people who can’t be cool about anything, never let anything go and crave theatrical adoration in a painfully dull modern world. For Bleach, it’s a song rich with “equal measures of cynicism and deep longing, two feelings at odds with each other and yet comfortable in their coexistence.” That’s felt in every piano chord and moody lyric.
As the introductory work to an upcoming new EP, Now Leaving West Feldwood, that will follow this new character through a fictional suburban town, ‘Whole Lotta Nothing’ is instantly gripping like a perfect opening scene. Managing to create a thorough vibe without needing to overdo anything, Bleach’s natural storytelling ability is palpable and captivating.
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