Released - October 2021
Label - Independent
Under an insurmountable amount of pressure to perform Ego Ella May returns in the wake of her triumphant previous release ‘Honey For Wounds’ with 4 track EP - 'FIELDNOTES'.
As undoubtedly the golden child of the scene, within 2 official releases and years of development Ego Ella May has never changed her formula, yet has consistently produced superb work despite the evident struggles so deftly expressed within her lyrics. As with all of her projects, ‘FIELDNOTES’ has required intense lyrical scrutiny and it is important for us to recognise that beneath the guaranteed brilliance of her harmonies and vocal melodies lie genuine concerns with potentially devastating outcomes.
This short work sees Ego collaborate with 5 producers on a 4 track journey through self observations made during lockdown. It begins as a gentle withdrawal from ‘Honey For Wounds’, the deep bass lines and catchy choruses familiar - but what innocence was once present is no longer.
From artistic burn out to existentialism, ‘FIELDNOTES’ affords us an insider’s perspective on an industry that Ego struggles to remain present and genuine within - with much of the pressure being self imposed. The creative industry is such that your success levels are only relative to your quality and relatability - and it is certainly true that as artists’ naiveties are shattered it can become harder to write relatable material, for their experiences have grown further from their respective audience than ever before. For Ego, who certainly is at the threshold of major success, this EP expresses her clear anxiety at entering this realm.
“Like a YoYo,
I know and then I don’t know,
I’m sure and then I’m not sure,
but the only thing I’m sure of is,
I’m gonna run away
And build a tiny house,
It will be rent free,
I’ll build a community,
We’ll make our own clothes,
There won’t be a T.V,
We will think freely,
Do you wanna come with me?”
At times we have all attempted to acknowledge our insignificance in an attempt to distract ourselves from our problems but this existential cure often leaves us hollow, and still no further from our inescapable existence in an unnatural world. “Why do I worry? When I’m just a speck of dust?”
The sonics of the project still possess the melancholy necessary to underpin Ego’s honey dripped realism, with cascading synth lines and smatterings of chorus drenched guitar. The beats still sway in detached indecision as the hushed harmonies cushion the blows and woes of one of the most valued artists in London. All in all, despite her clear fears, Ego Ella May has once again produced a work for those of us desperate for a voice to confirm that our cynicism is not unfounded, and for that we are eternally grateful.