Review by Taf Rock for MPM
Unwrap and savour this pre-Christmas gift from Elles Bailey. This is the second track to be made available from Elles forthcoming five track EP – The Night Owl & The Lark which will be released digitally 23rd February 2024 (as a bonus fans who pre-order the physical CD or vinyl will receive their copy mid December).
Demonstrating the versatility of Elles Bailey this track was recorded at Surrey’s Masterlink Studios with a completely different set of musicians to her usual touring entourage.
It features Stefan Redtenbacher on bass along with other members of his jazz/funk collective Redtenbacher’s Funkestra (Mike Sturgis – drums, Ross Stanley – keys and Tony Remy – guitar).
Backing vocals are provided by Kim Keyes who Elles previously worked with on her debut album Wildfire and its successor Road I Call Home.
Recent converts to Elles Bailey’s material may think this song is quite a departure from the rockier sound of her 2022 award winning Shining In The Half Light album but this song harks back to Elles earlier ‘Wildfire’ style and is a soul infused number which was created in quite a unique manner.
Elles received a message from Mike Morgan (a USA based songwriter) back in 2020 in the midst of lockdown and the ensuing virtual shutdown of the entertainment industry.
Mike had a set of lyrics he and his co-writers had written and wanted someone to compose some music to accompany the lyrics and turn them into a song.
Always up for a challenge and with plenty of time on her hands Elles was so impressed by the lyrics that she stepped up to the plate and produced this wonderful track only tweaking the original lyrics ever so slightly.
The vocal is instantly recognisable as Elles (rich, smoky and full of feeling). Elles doesn’t just sing a song she lives and breathes the song, captivating the listener as they are drawn in, hanging on every note.
Ross sets the scene with delightful keyboards before we hear that voice for the first time. ‘Life is just a desert that you’re walking through… regret is an echo that you’re talking to’.
The chorus is stunning – Kim’s backing vocals and the ever present captivating keys helping to create a beautiful calming atmosphere complemented by the groovy melody of the band.
‘I can hear you even when your pain is silent’, ‘when you’re slipping and you’re barely holding on’. Who better than Elles to reassure a troubled mind with uplifting words such as ‘Lean on my love… Anything you go through … I can help to show you’.
Elles increases the urgency raising the tempo to bring the song to a rousing conclusion. Mike Morgan – you sent those lyrics to the ideal person. Elles has turned your words into a work of art, another incredible addition to the Elles Bailey repertoire.
‘Lean on My Love’ is now available for download or streaming on all digital platforms. https://earache.lnk.to/Leanonmylove
Website: https://www.ellesbailey.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EllesBailey
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellesbailey/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/EllesBailey/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/EllesBailey
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4NPMwh3kDwi6uVCNtmeUvU
