Today marks the official release of Love-Fuelled Hate, the debut album from Elle Exxe.
Over the course of this year, I’ve received various E-mails from her excellent PR company informing me about new singles, videos and gigs in traditional and non-traditional venues.
My response to the E-mails has largely been the same; general acknowledgement that there’s a real talent blossoming here but never quite getting me excited enough to write a Sonic Breakfast blog post about Elle.
This week, I found some time to listen to an advance copy of Elle’s album; frankly, it knocked me sideways. Whilst the singles do stand up on their own, it’s alongside the other album tracks that they really come to the fore.
Designed to be listened to as a vinyl LP, both sides kick off with short introductory prologue pieces which then merge into stunning tracks. Side one belongs to the hard-sexy-brash-soul of ‘Lately’ whilst side 2 funks along with the deceptive pop of ‘Lie To Me’.
Broadly, side one has tracks where the songs are about the wide spectrum of emotions associated with love whilst side 2 has more songs with hate in the title. In reality, there’s little difference between the sides with both containing ballsy belters about the first throes, commitment, insecurity and revenge.
You sense that there’s a diva waiting to get out in Elle and the album is at its best when the young Scot really goes for it. But, she doesn’t shy away from moments of uncomplicated tenderness either as the doting vocal-only mix of ‘I Do’ pays testament to.
Sonic Breakfast goes pop and heartily recommends Love-Fuelled Hate.
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