A Soul-Packed Release from Elles Bailey

A very vivacious and personality-laced EP release from Elles Bailey just came out, and this record brings together such a lively soul approach but also peppers in funk, rock, and even southern undertones throughout it, making it something that definitely bursts at the seams with that soul-pop approach but also brings a lot of other influences to the table.

This is a very refreshing record. You can hear a lot of honesty, and again, that personality just comes shining through a little differently with each track, but always prominent.

This is a very packed release. What I mean by that is, it's got so much outstanding instrumentation from horns to guitars, keys, and more, that all come together and fill any kind of space so that you have songs that are very robust, big, and character-driven, along with all of that soulful performance.

She blends old and new school songwriting approaches seamlessly. It has that hint of Amy Winehouse in terms of the musical compositions and instrumentation involved, along with how it approaches a vintage Soul songwriting undertone.

This is totally different, though, simply because she has a completely different feel to how she sings and comes through with this vibrancy and attitude that just opens up.

The record is called Can't Take My Story Away and it starts off with the title track, which gives you such a great feel for what the record will give you.

Lush organs, full-bodied horn sections, classic percussion, elements of jazz and its undertone, and vocals that you can't turn away from.

You can tell she pulls from some really classic singers, and she does an amazing job of creating something that's all her own but also pays homage to the kind of singers that she grew up listening to.

Her vocals can be smooth when they want to, or also kind of edgy and in your face as well. When she wants to belt, she's going to belt; when she wants to deliver more story that impacts, she's going to be a little smoother and calmer.

Her dynamic balance throughout this entire record is outstanding, and it just brings the entire thing to life.

Now, you also hear some blues elements in there as well as everything else, and that comes in line with soul music in general, but songs like "Better Days" really showcase some of the classic blues influence, and she takes that to heart.

You got some great guitar work, the song sort of bops, still keeps to that blues undertone but gives you color.

The keys and organs throughout this record are really imperative. They really add such a beautiful texture to the songs and are very heavily involved with the soundscape of every single one of them.

My favorite song of this release is probably the third one in line, called "Take A Step Back", because it makes me think of a James Brown song. It's got that really intense kind of performance, classic horn sections delivering those Soul riffs, and there are so many hooks it's just something that stays with you for long after it has ended.

A lot of this album gives you that, though. There's a lot of musical hooks along with heavy-handed choruses that just come through with beautiful intensity and heart.

Aside from the personality, I can clearly say that the heart is something that also comes across the strongest in this record.

The closing track on the record is called "Growing Roots" and is beautifully done, she really shows more of that smooth Soulful vocal approach, bending notes and coming through with this silkness that feels sort of warm.

All in all, this was incredible. This EP gives you a lot to chew on, showcases an artist who isn't afraid to put herself out there in big, robust ways, and again, is just oozing with soul everywhere.

This is one for the books, and if you're a fan of neo-soul, blues, soul-pop, jazz, anything, you're going to love this record.

So, jump in right now so you can hear exactly what I mean, and you will not soon regret it.

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