Live Review: Relive your sad summer flings with ELLE's new single, 'Summer Baby'
Have you ever fallen in love with a ‘Summer Baby’? Why yes, we have. In fact, it happens to be the second single from Melbournian pop duo ELLE...
Have you ever fallen in love with a ‘Summer Baby’? Why yes, we have. In fact, it happens to be the second single from Melbournian pop duo ELLE. Backing up the release of their debut single ‘If You’re Not The One’, ‘Summer Baby’ features similar dreamy synthscapes and ethereal vibes previously deployed by lifelong musicians st. James and Richard S. He. This time however, there is an inherent summeriness to be found within the production of this song, with backbeat drums and synthesised marimbas making the track feel like a sad dance party held inside of a seashell.
The release arrives accompanied by a hypnotizing music video set inside a 1970’s beachside mansion, where prospective lovers are depicted flirting and frolicking towards their imminent demise. Directed and starred in by singer st. James herself, alongside Lady Catherine and shot by Conor Herbert & Richard S. He, the whole thing feels like when you visit your rich relatives' holiday house- that notion of moonlighting in a life that’s not quite yours to live. Sooner or later, you know the good times must draw to an end.
Vocalist st. James says this newest release reflects on similar situations from her own life experiences, with tales of turbulent summers not going according to plans.
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“This song feels to me like a form of self-destruction, knowing it’s gonna go up in flames and racing forward to light the match. Every summer I expect to be happy and at peace, and quite often I end up an absolute mess by my own hand.”
Despite ‘Summer Baby’ arriving as the second release from ELLE, it was actually one of the first songs to be developed as a part of this new musical project. “Amazingly, Summer Baby was the first full composition st. James ever brought to me,” remarks the duo's other half Richard S. He. “I wanted to bring out the lyrics’ dark, desperate qualities and their sunnier, more hopeful side”.
Speaking of hopeful sides, with two single releases now under their belt, ELLE have their sights well and truly set towards the release of their debut mixtape and first live shows set to happen later this year. We have our eyes and ears peeled, ready to get lost in even more dreams with you, ELLE bby.
Image: Richard S. He
Words by CLARE NEAL
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