Elle Exxe – Love Fuelled Hate
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| Elle Exxe - Love Fuelled Hate |
Release Date: 7th October 2016
There’s hype, there’s hyperbole
and then there’s superhype. Scottish star in the making Elle Exxe fits in to
that latter category but, I think you’ll agree, it’s deserved. I mean, how many
fresh pop stars start their debut album with the sound of a Frenchman (I think)
muttering uncomfortably close in to a microphone? Well Elle Exxe does on ‘Your
Love…’ which segues in to the stomping pop rouser ‘Lately’ full of brattish
attitude, slinky guitars and the kind of chorus that works in a ball gown as
much as it does in jeans and a vest. On ‘Lost in L.A.’ our heroine uses that
Shampoo-esque stomp of a beat and semi-robotic vocal to counterpoint those
choppy, snarling guitars to create something akin to Sleigh Bells which is a
very, very good thing. By the time ‘Home with You’ rolls around with its more
laid back vibe, you are left in no doubt that Elle Exxe not only means business
but has the chops to back it up with an album already brimming with great pop
tunes.
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| Album Launch Show |
The slick, multi-tracked vocals
on ‘I Do’ are reminiscent of Lady Gaga or Rhianna in terms of production values
but the bravery of hanging the whole song on her vocal ability with very sparse
instrumentation is admirable to say the least. ‘Sick’ is a smart, sassy piece
of indie-pop while ‘White Lies’ has a slightly more sparse, 80s pop ballad vibe
but with 21st century beats. ‘…Your Hate’ continues the mumbling
from the opening track before the Lady Hawke-esque ‘Lie to Me’ kicks in with its
dancing synth notes and Elle Exxe letting her voice flex its muscles with
confidence and a little swagger. The dramatic synth and beats intro to ‘The
Hammer’ mixed with the affected vocal style reminds me a little of Cameo’s
classic ‘Word Up’ but soon enough this tune becomes a huge 80s inspired
indie-dance anthem with perfect hand-clappable rhythms going on. The attitude
continues on ‘W.T.F.’ as Elle and her posse chant “Who the fuck do you think
you are?” at anyone who gets in their way or tries it on without an invitation.
Be warned.
In to the home straight and ‘Hating
On You’ is the girl power anthem that the likes of Girls Aloud would kill for
as a comeback tune but far too grown up for the likes of Little Mix (Katy Perry
might just be able to carry it off but it’s got too much snarl for the likes of
Meghan Trainor). ‘Shoot’ is sumptuous in its bile driven fury as Elle Exxe
nearly raps the verses before singing “Your jealousy won’t bring me down” in
the chorus. Closing track ‘Understand’ shows the artist off under a more
delicate light as the scattered, processed vocals are akin to Ellie Goulding
but the beats that carry the tune are far more industrial, not letting up on
the energy until the very end of this 14 track beast. So, that’s a whole album
of original material coupled with one hell of a voice and enough imagination
and innovation to keep the listener’s attention for 14 whole tracks. Not bad
for a first effort, that second album is going to be a bit of a challenge
though. Never mind that though, Elle Exxe is surely about to break through so
get on board now and get to a show before she’s touring arenas and killing it
at awards ceremonies.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/ElleExxe/?fref=ts
Live Dates:
3rd October – Zandari 2016, Seoul
6th October – Unknown Venue, Seoul
7th October – Mu:Con 2016, Seoul
12th October – Album Launch @ 229 Venue, London
27th October – Troxy, London