2017 is the four year anniversary of Ell's first single release ever, "Trippin' On Us." Four more singles and many major tours later, Ell is finally releasing her debut EP. It's been a long time coming, and that's maybe the reason Ell named her EP after the song "Worth the Wait?" And it was. Ell has spent so many years releasing different singles with various sounds. The blues-pop-country blend she came up with is so her, and was worth the four years it took to develop.
"Waiting On You": Producer Kristian Bush made Ell record all of her favorite album, John Mayer's Continuum before beginning this process, and you can hear that influence clearly on this song. The mix of blues-influenced guitar licks and beach-y country sounds creates the blend that Ell has been working so hard to create. The pop is still there, but less than in previous recordings, which sounds more natural for Ell. Potential single material? For sure! This is a hit in the making.
"Criminal": While not a new song for any fans, the fully produced version of this song is as poppy and catchy as we could have hoped. Of all the songs on the EP, this is definitely the most mainstream, but the interesting twist on a normal love song "ain't typical," as she says.
"Space": One of only two outside cuts on the EP, this one was written by Caitlyn Smith, Maggie Chapman (Mags Duval), and Heather Morgan. All responsible for hits of their own or for other people, this songwriting trio crafted a hell of a song. More vibey and swampy than the rest, "Space" is on this EP to show off Ell's vocals. Her incredible guitar playing sometimes tends to overshadow her vocal ability, but with this song, it's obvious that she's amazing at everything. At some points the belting sounds slightly strained, but that only makes the song more powerful. It's emotion, not necessarily problems with technique.
"Standing Here": The second outside cut, with big name songwriter Ryan Hurd, "Standing Here" has similar vocal stylings and melodies to many of Hurd's songs. But even though Ell and Hurd have pretty contrasting sounds, this song surprisingly fits Ell very well. The song plays a little more on the title of the EP, speaking about waiting. But in comparison to "Waiting on You" and "Worth the Wait," this song is more about not waiting, and moving on.
"Worth the Wait": This song is the title track and the best song on the EP. It's more stripped down, with simple guitar and the focus on Ell's vocals, but not on her voice's power, like in "Space." "Worth the Wait" is about emotion, and about the lyrics, and Ell proves that she's got incredible conviction in the way she sings. Key lyrics in this song include, "You keep selling hope, just like candy to a baby," speaking of falling into new love that maybe won't quite work out. It's a precarious situation, and this song explains the need for hope at times like this.
"Stop This Train": Straight from the cover album that Ell recorded in preparation for this EP, this is an unexpected, but important cover. A John Mayer song off of Continuum, Ell has been vocal about her love for this song in the past, often playing this song on live streams for fans. Her version has a little country flair to it with some banjo added during the second verse. Closing the EP with this song feels like a full circle moment. Ell has spent so much of her life being influenced by Mayer, and on her first EP, she had the chance to record her favorite song by him. It's a powerful song, and Ell performs it beautifully.
Purchase Worth the Wait here.
"Criminal": While not a new song for any fans, the fully produced version of this song is as poppy and catchy as we could have hoped. Of all the songs on the EP, this is definitely the most mainstream, but the interesting twist on a normal love song "ain't typical," as she says.
"Space": One of only two outside cuts on the EP, this one was written by Caitlyn Smith, Maggie Chapman (Mags Duval), and Heather Morgan. All responsible for hits of their own or for other people, this songwriting trio crafted a hell of a song. More vibey and swampy than the rest, "Space" is on this EP to show off Ell's vocals. Her incredible guitar playing sometimes tends to overshadow her vocal ability, but with this song, it's obvious that she's amazing at everything. At some points the belting sounds slightly strained, but that only makes the song more powerful. It's emotion, not necessarily problems with technique.
"Standing Here": The second outside cut, with big name songwriter Ryan Hurd, "Standing Here" has similar vocal stylings and melodies to many of Hurd's songs. But even though Ell and Hurd have pretty contrasting sounds, this song surprisingly fits Ell very well. The song plays a little more on the title of the EP, speaking about waiting. But in comparison to "Waiting on You" and "Worth the Wait," this song is more about not waiting, and moving on.
"Worth the Wait": This song is the title track and the best song on the EP. It's more stripped down, with simple guitar and the focus on Ell's vocals, but not on her voice's power, like in "Space." "Worth the Wait" is about emotion, and about the lyrics, and Ell proves that she's got incredible conviction in the way she sings. Key lyrics in this song include, "You keep selling hope, just like candy to a baby," speaking of falling into new love that maybe won't quite work out. It's a precarious situation, and this song explains the need for hope at times like this.
"Stop This Train": Straight from the cover album that Ell recorded in preparation for this EP, this is an unexpected, but important cover. A John Mayer song off of Continuum, Ell has been vocal about her love for this song in the past, often playing this song on live streams for fans. Her version has a little country flair to it with some banjo added during the second verse. Closing the EP with this song feels like a full circle moment. Ell has spent so much of her life being influenced by Mayer, and on her first EP, she had the chance to record her favorite song by him. It's a powerful song, and Ell performs it beautifully.
Purchase Worth the Wait here.
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