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Album Review : Elles Bailey – Beneath The Neon Glow

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Reviewed by Taf Rock for MPM

Seven years ago a Wildfire set alight the musical landscape. Bristol songstress Elles Bailey released her debut album – an album that made a lasting impression on all that heard it, it was clear we had a star in the making after an initial listen to the dozen songs on offer.

Such was the impact of this colossal release the demand for further tunes from this unique artist was swiftly answered with an expanded version of a stunning debut album featuring a further half dozen tracks. Follow up album Road I Call Home increased Elles profile in 2019 before the world ground to a halt in 2020.

Elles took to the socials and streamed endlessly forming an unbreakable bond with a growing army of fans hungry to listen to music despite being denied the opportunity to attend gigs. Elles third studio album followed in 2022 and saw her Shining In The Half Light. A huge success story it’s an album that still sounds fresh and vibrant some two years later. Which brings us bang up to date and the highly anticipated release of studio album number four – Beneath The Neon Glow

Whilst the neon lights shine down to immerse Elles in a translucent glow the album touches on subjects close to the heart, delving beneath the surface covering the full range of emotions hidden beneath the bright lights of stardom and fame. Accompanying Elles on her genre-defying journey are regular touring band members Joe Wilkins (guitar), Jonny Henderson (keys), Matthew Waer (bass) and Matthew Jones (drums). Backing vocals on the bulk of the album are provided by another constant in Elles touring band and burgeoning star in her own right Demi Marriner. Demi splits backing vocal duties with Liam Cromby and Katey Brooks stepping up to the mic on other occasions.

‘Sit back, buckle up Enjoy The Ride‘. We start our rollercoaster journey with a rocked up beat as Elles ‘paints a picture’ of her journey through the musical landscape over the years. ‘The men in suits point a loaded gun … But I know my aim… I’ll pull the trigger’. Elles may have had her run in with the ‘Medicine Man‘ in the past but ‘regrets ain’t gonna hurt’ – intent to ‘choose my own direction… there is no destination’. A snappy upbeat enjoyable opener features Cormac Neeson on harmonica and delightful backing vocals from Demi and Liam. Joe Wilkins starts as he means to continue with a blistering solo at the track’s midpoint.

Elles excels at story telling. A co-write with Tamara Stewart Ballad of A Broken Dream paints a vivid picture of an anonymous artist recalling his ‘lonesome memories … guitar in hand’ ‘playing for tips’ to a handful of souls. Elles urges us to ‘let him play… let him sing’. The lyrically rich tune leaves the listener in no doubt as to the ‘torment of his talent’. ‘How can a man like Moses end up just like Judas kiss’ Elles enquires. Producer Dan Weller joins Joe Wilkins, Liam and Demi as gang vocals intersperse Elles superlative lead lines. Jonny Henderson adds depth with some sensational tinkling of the ivories leaving the refrains of Joe’s guitar to gently bring this shining jewel of a track to a close.

The pace ramps up once again as our rollercoaster ride continues with Leave The Light On. A tribute to Elles husband who ensures she is guided safely home to her abode after one of her lengthy journeys from a gig far afield. Jonny once again excels as his keys blaze a path for Elles opening lyric ‘I’m a rubber band, I’m a boomerang, I need to fly but have a place to land’. Lyrics that encapsulate Elles hectic life as she successfully juggles the roles of  touring artist with her parental duties whilst still finding time to record a weekly radio show.

My hat goes off to you Elles – ‘always moving forward… A little too fast for you’ she acknowledges her busy life whilst giving due credit to the ‘heart of gold’ of her husband. Joe Wilkins is on hand to deliver a rip-roaring lead break midway through.

We turn the clock back half a century as Elles displays her vocal dexterity and bottles up the spirit of 1972, recreating the vibe and essence of a time when life was less complicated. Delightful recollections abound amongst the 70s funk which features Pete Fraser on saxophone – ‘cola in glass bottles… Polaroids on the fridge… Atlas on the dash… Blue bell bottoms and platforms’. Yeah I just about remember most of those as a young school child setting off on life’s journey at the time. I think you’re doing yourself an injustice though Elles with the line ‘music was better’. From where I’m sitting music doesn’t get much better than this quality album … And we aren’t even halfway through yet.

Silhouette In A Sunset would have made a great choice for the album title. Reaching out to ‘an old friend today’ Elles conjures up a myriad of images as the mood switches to a reflective mellower style, Elles versatility delivering a beautiful masterpiece that will hit home and touch many listeners. ‘I got to catch my breath’ sings Elles before she leaves listeners breathless with another quality lyric – ‘see you when we meet at the dark end of the street’.

The quality of the songwriting on this album is second to none as Elles deals with a subject close to many people’s hearts. Cormac Neeson harmonica and pedal steel courtesy of Holly Carter provide a Nashville style country edge to this tearjerker which Elles delivers perfectly.

A song of heartbreak delivered in an upbeat uplifting manner. Truth Ain’t Gonna Save Us sends the message that it’s time to be honest with each other, face up to circumstances and ‘set us free’. There’s no point in hiding behind lies as you ‘wade through the trouble in mind … trying to kill time’. Just as Elles displays her deftness in tackling different vocal styles throughout this release Joe Wilkins exhibits six string dexterity as he tackles different guitar techniques with ease. Another superb display of his talents is on show here.

Continuing the trait of heartbreak delivered in a positive upbeat manner If This Is Love tells the story of a relationship breakup. Elles ‘dodged a bullet… throws in the towel’. Fed up of ‘love that feels like war’ her vocals are first rate as she delivers a story most of us can relate to, the relief of making a decision and moving on. Katey Brooks frequent backing vocals are joyous and prominent amongst the prolific Jonny Henderson keys and Pete Fraser sax.

The atmospheric smouldering keyboard-laden intro of Let It Burn ushers in a tune full of darkness and dramatic tension. Quite a different tone to Elles voice here as she informs her partner ‘It doesn’t take a genius to know we’re not right… this is more than just a fight’.  Every song on this album is co-written by Elles and other talented song writers.

This time it’s the turn of Katey Brooks who not only supplies lush backing vocals but created the initial song before asking Elles to help finish it and record it for Beneath The Neon Glow. You can cut the atmosphere with a knife as Matthew Jones drums fans the flames. ‘Set this alight … Close the door … let it burn’. Joe Wilkins guitar portrays the fire burning out of control before the song draws to a close. Jonny Henderson’s piano symbolising the dying embers fizzing and crackling as just like the relationship in question they near the inevitable expiration of their life.

Joe Wilkins displays another side to his talents as he co-writes Love Yourself.  Before you can love anyone else and truly enjoy yourself ‘you gotta learn how to love yourself’. Another lesson in life delivered exquisitely by Elles and her first rate band. Matthew Waer’s bass is prominent throughout providing a punchy upbeat tempo whilst Katey Brooks backing vocals exhibit a gospel like edge complementing Henderson’s prolific keyboards.

The tune takes a brief change of direction midpoint like the subject trying to find his way through life on his journey of self discovery. Elles demonstrates once again the full range of her vocal talents as she proclaims ‘I love your heart of gold’ in mesmerising fashion.

The album ends with a thought provoking message. The world can seem like a dangerous place devoid of love at times. Our televisions seem keen to deliver bad news far too often at times. Of course we cannot ignore what’s going on from day to day but it does help to sometimes Turn Off The News and escape from the rigours of daily life. ‘Turn off the pain for the day … Just for a moment pretend it’s okay’. Reflect on life, ‘slam the door when the demons are trying to break through’ remembering to ‘pray for the innocent’. A powerful song which is sure to cause a few tears to be shed at times. 

At the outset of our journey Elles promised to ‘blend up all the pigments and paint a picture’. A promise she has delivered in bundles. Beneath the Neon Glow is an album that will jettison Elles into the mainstream. With the aid of talented songwriters and first rate professional musicians Elles has produced an album for the ages which will still grace the decks decades down the line. The future’s bright as Elles steps out of the half light and basks Beneath The Neon Glow.

Beneath The Neon Glow is available in a variety of formats. The standard album reviewed here contains ten tracks whilst the physical deluxe edition contains a further six titles four of which are acoustic. The digital deluxe version contains an additional nine piano versions of tracks.  All versions can be purchased from Elles online shop here https://ellesbailey.tmstor.es/?lf=4d96d2f723e8da87b7fb44248ca5606e

Elles and her band start their UK tour September 22nd at The Drill , Lincoln. The tour continues nationwide finishing with two Irish dates December 6/7 in Belfast and Dublin. Check out the dates here https://www.ellesbailey.com/tour

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