Ella Collier is a rising star in the music industry. Born and bred in Atlanta, Georgia, she is a multifaceted musician who not only writes but performs and records her original music. Also known for her powerful vocals and exceptional sound, falling under the umbrella of pop, trap, EDM, and hyperpop. Her music is a representation of the human experience, love, and loss, and her lyrics often touch on evolving perspectives of the world.
Ella's latest EP, "SECOND ARROW," is finally here. Composed of six amazing songs, including the previously breathtaking single "UPGRADE," the EP is a journey of awakening empowerment. Written in her first year of sobriety, she takes us through the intense emotions of a reality she had been running from for a long time. It was decided to name the EP after realizing that the rest of the songs on the EP could be reframed retrospectively in a different manner. On the surface, the songs seem your run-of-the-mill pop songs; however, upon a closer listen, they reveal Ella's self-sabotaging thoughts that led to her impulsive behavior. It's hard to ignore Ella's irony and delusion behind these songs. She's honest about expressing her emotions in the most significant way possible. Whether it is an emotional or physical event, the first arrow represents an unfortunate event. In the second arrow, you cause yourself suffering by ruminating beyond the event. Ella explores all these concepts and how they can lead to a cycle of self-sabotage if not addressed.
“I started my new music sober and I finally got to get brutally honest about my thought process and experience with not only sobriety, but with the music industry, my relationships, and my view of the world," she explains.
Variety and creativity are the strong suits of "SECOND ARROW". Combining parts of EDM, hip-hop, R&B, and anthemic pop. These songs are massively produced on purpose to reflect the sentiment of the music and the layers of the mind in the journey of these songs. The EP was crafted in collaboration with her close confidant and collaborator, Sam Vendig. Together, they bring a fresh perspective to the pop scene. Speaking about their collaboration, Ella revealed that she and Sam share a deep connection that allows them to create magic together.
Let's break down each of the songs and hear what Ella has prepared for us. The opening track is her previously released single, "UPGRADE" and what a great way to start our adventure. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy chorus mask the deeper meaning behind the lyrics, to never let yourself be deceived and manipulated. Ella's sound takes heavy inspiration from Lady Gaga, Beyonce, and Katy Perry. Delivering a tune that could easily be the next big hit on the radio. Ella shares her insight on this one: “This way that society has been set up seeps down into our interpersonal relationships, turning them transactional, which is what I am pushing back on in this song. It is also a call out of the gatekeepers of life, who say they're lending us a helping hand, but really they're only here for their own gain and the downfall of another. What if instead of upgrading our phones, apps, and social/job/relationship statuses, we upgraded ourselves spiritually and emotionally? Would we finally be happy then? (...) I feel like every time I listen to this song, I come up with a new sense of freedom through a new perspective.”
"HOLD PLEASE" starts slow, with a delightful piano intro. A celebration of not being afraid of being vulnerable, leaving toxic relationships in the past, and gathering the strength to keep going forward. She wrote this song from a resentful place about the past people in her life, people who she felt only used her. It is a track that encourages listeners to take their power back and with it, Ella is telling their fans that it can be hard, but “I'm here, doing it with you."
"I THINK I MIGHT" is next on the menu. Pop and R&B meet to form an explosive concoction of sounds. This track takes us back to the early Y2K, to the days of Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera. The tune is a rallying cry for revenge, to take control and burn it all to the ground. “Have you ever been called crazy by a lover, or a lack thereof? Well, I’m about to show you just how crazy I can get.” Ella says, explaining the sentiment behind the song. The next two songs are special. "MY BAD" is your classical take on modern pop. With an addictive hook, it will be impossible not to sing along to it. "Here’s where we flip the script on the gaslighters. In “MY BAD”, we are in our own world and we are loving it. Nobody can tell us a thing." Ella's sassy and cheeky take is just fabulous. Waiting for us at the finish line is "LIKE A LADY". In my opinion, the best song presented. This fun, hot, and empowering anthem was co-produced by Ella and her right hand, Sam Vendig. Both redefine what womanhood truly is. Shaking of misogynistic and patriarchal concepts. Ella and Sam seamlessly pack these big ideas and spiritual realizations into hooky, experimental pop music, which reflects the hard feelings displayed in "SECOND ARROW."
Through her music, Ella Collier hopes to empower anyone who listens to break free from the cycle of self-sabotage and take control of their lives. "SECOND ARROW" is a must-listen for all who love pop music with a deeper meaning and message. Don't sit this one out.
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