Just over a year on from the release 'Lifetime of Wanting', Nieve Ella is back with 'Watch It Ache and Bleed'. Even the title feels immediately compelling, hinting at the unfolding themes of witnessing pain and heartbreak first-hand. With moments of intimacy and explorations of grief, combined with Nieve's ever-increasingly intoxicating sound, and the inclusion of pure indie-pop anthems, this EP is true evidence of how her sound has become even more refined and mature.
Anything
The first track on the EP, 'Anything', acts as the opening scene of the newest installment of the Nieve Ella cinematic discography. Something that we've long admired is Nieve's ability to share a candid and engaging insight into the life that she's living in the moment of releasing each project. This opening track is the EP's title sake, with the second verse reading 'I've been trying to figure out when you want me / Rip my heart open / Watch it ache and bleed', with lyrics like this, it's apparent that Nieve has nothing to lose in this new project - she is going to lay it all out for her listeners to hear what's been going on. Nieve has the wonderful ability to combine vulnerability with her indie rock sound, and on our first listen, we knew that this new project was in safe hands. The outro of the word 'anything' being repeated feels like a descent into the project and the inevitable pain of dedicating your time and energy into relationships (whether it be romantic, platonic or familial) and hoping the feelings will be clearly reciprocated.
Sugarcoated
Sugarcoated', as one of the lead singles from the EP, has already become a cult classic within Nieve's fast-increasing and dedicated fanbase, and for good reason - this tune certainly contains all the elements of an indie hit. In an interview with Dork, Nieve explains that this single is about her 'struggle with imposter syndrome, how people see me online compared to how I see myself', and this is discussion is so welcomed in the current music scene with artists like Chappell Roan and even in Charli xcx's 'Sympathy is a knife' remix with Ariana Grande. We're seeing artists having to remind listeners, followers and even the media, that ultimately they are human beings, and in 'Sugarcoated', Nieve adds her own voice to this discussion.
Pre-choruses like 'The loneliest place is a crowded room / Where everyone wants a piece of you / What's left for myself?' really builds a space for listeners to re-evaluate their relationship with fame and success. Not only is this track addictively easy to listen on repeat, but it holds a really important and special place in Nieve's discography as she grows into her rightful stardom.
The Things We Say
With the inclusion of songs like 'The Things We Say', Nieve really leans into this 'Watch It Ache And Bleed' concept. This EP feels more than a series of songs that are great, but rather an exploration of various relationships in her life and the rollercoaster that these can be. The track is dramatic and deliberately overwhelming yet focusing on the miniscule details, and anyone who has ever argued with a close friend knows this is exactly how an argument between friends goes down. Some of our favourite writing on this EP can be found in the song's second verse: 'I wish you would slow down / You're driving way too fast / But I just say nothing / And stare at the broken glass' , with layers and layers of narrative happening. 'The Things We Say' shows the explosive potential of a close friendship but ultimately the unbreakable bond that exists beneath these scratches.
The Reason
'The Reason' is a song that compels you to pause, a powerful testament to Nieve's refined songwriting and overall evolution in storytelling. Whilst the track is comparably brief, it delivers an intimate portrayal of broken relationships and how the impact of losing these connections can follow you. The changing of lyrics in the chorus between 'Your foot's in the doorway when I'm begging to leave' and 'My foot's in the doorway when you're begging to leave' subtly acknowledges the parts can be played in this, sometimes you fall victim to the loss, but sometimes it is the personal decision to step away from someone, no matter how tough this may be. By shifting the dynamic, Nieve enables the track to explore the nuances of unraveling relationships and see their multi-dimensional nature.
Ganni Top (She Gets What She Needs)
With this track, Nieve had her audience counting down the seconds until its release. She certainly knows how to hype a crowd and when you have an audience chanting the lyrics of an unreleased song back to you, during a support slot for girl in red, you know you have done something right. Nieve has mastered the catchy, pop-y chorus with 'Ganni Top' and it feels nonchalant and, simply, cool.
This is one of those tracks that loyal supporters and brand new listeners alike can appreciate as it shows Nieve in her creative element, letting loose and having fun with her music. Seeing an artist truly enjoying the expression of their sound is appealing in itself, and acts as a real point of relief within the EP, directly following 'The Reason'.
Sweet Nothings
Speaking to Dork for the EP's release, Nieve said that 'Sweet Nothings' is 'all about celebrating that rush of happiness and feeling lovely in those first two weeks of dating someone. I'm daydreaming about that exciting moment when someone new is falling for me.' These feelings are explored beautifully within this track, longing for someone's presence and the insatiable feeling of craving more of the person at all times. It conveys infatuation in its purest form, with the chorus stating, 'I will wait around till you lay me down / You can cover me in your sweet nothings.' It just feels like the soundtrack of a new romance, budding into love.
Stop Me!
Upon hearing 'Stop Me!' for the first time, you can envision how a live audience will react to a song like this. The moshpits are already forming. Her ability to shift the mood entirely from the track before is impressive and creates dimension within the EP. The drastic change from an explicit love song dedicated to a new lover to the verses on this track detailing the raw confessions of losing these feelings, the fading grip on love, and the exhaustion of waiting for it to be reciprocated. Here, she is facing the reality of the downward spiral of holding out for someone's desire and attention, going as far as to express 'And no one seems to notice / My fingers in the socket'. This haunting confessional, paired with upbeat production and powerful energy, makes it a 'jump and dance so you do not cry' track and sometimes, that's all you need in this moment. Driven by heavy drums and a punchy, insistent chorus repeating 'You better / Stop me', this track is undeniably festival-ready as listeners can resonate with the lyrics and take what they need from a song like this, but feel the relief of shaking it off and still having fun. To tackle feelings that are so sensitive and turn them into a track that is beaming with passion and energy proves Nieve's abilities as a songwriter and creator.
Meet You In The Middle
What a way to end an EP. 'Meet You In The Middle' ties together all of the tracks before to round out the record in the most full-circle manner. The verse immediately reflects upon mistakes made and redemption that can take place in the present, with lyrics like 'We can compromise / We'll talk about all the things that came out at the time'. It feels like the final showdown with someone, not coming to a total agreement, but a mutual understanding of feelings that aren't so black or white. She acknowledges the poor treatment from this person in the past, and having the strength to speak up when she has been silenced before. The second verse is firmly telling the person before her, 'It's time to hear me speak / This so-called conversation has been nothing about me'. This final track comes from a real place of maturity and is some of Nieve's best work to date as she moves on from past relationships, treatment, and this era entirely. The guitar fading out right to the last moment feels like a true goodbye, closing the door on these stories as we reach 'The End' of the book.
Nieve Ella is proving yet again that she is here to stay, solidifying her status as a standout artist to watch. It feels as though we are witnessing her shift to stardom in real-time, and no one could deserve it more. The dedication of Nieve and her band shines through in the impactful delivery of this EP. Each track tells a story so deeply and in a nuanced way, confronting emotions buried deep within. 'Watch It Ache and Bleed' is a strong record, showcasing Nieve’s strengths as a recording artist at every turn.
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