Essence Martins is a British-Nigerian artist whose songwriting blends indie-folk, pop and soul. With a soft, ethereal voice, she enjoys combining organic and synthesised sounds, alongside rich harmonies, to create her compositions.
The EP was released on October 29, 2026, and runs to just over 25 minutes.
Press Release.
On ‘It All Comes To End’, Essence opens herself up to new collaborators while drawing deeply from diaries, relationships, literature and the experiences of the past four years. Across seven songs, she explores time, identity, love, heartbreak, money, expectation and the pressure to keep up appearances — songs that feel like individual diary entries while collectively documenting a young woman becoming increasingly determined to take control of her own story.
“I think for me, ‘It All Comes To End’ just made sense as a title because it’s almost a lesson that I’m trying to learn myself — it all comes to an end, so let’s live!” says Essence. “I know these things in my head, but to actually apply the ideas that I’m talking about is another thing. It’s something that I’m working towards — being the front seat driver in my own story, in my own life.”
That sense of self-determination has shaped Essence’s journey from the beginning. Raised in Northwest London in a music-loving household, her route into artistry was anything but conventional. A gifted young tennis player, she earned a scholarship to college in North Carolina after years of intensive training, before ultimately following her heart back to London to pursue songwriting.
Essence launched her first EP in 2023 and has steadily established herself as one of the UK’s most distinctive and compelling emerging voices. Her intimate, thoughtful and confessional songwriting has won support from artists including Rachel Chinouriri, Mahalia, Demi Lovato, Paris Paloma, Jill Scott, alongside SZA and Troye Sivan amongst others.
My Review
“Please, Don’t Wake Me”
The EP opens with a dreamy folk-style number, slightly whimsical and with one of those pick-me-up choruses. The general feel of the opener is that of a late-evening track, one you can simply fall into with a hot chocolate in hand. I would happily listen to this one again, but I need my sofa to appreciate it fully!
“Hold the Trigger”
This track has a hint of country added to the folk feeling. It is a little more pop-oriented than the opener, offering a gentle sing-along quality. It retains that warm-drink feeling from the first track, the musical equivalent of a cuddle. There is an instrument in there that I couldn’t quite place. I’ll say a banjo, but it might not be! It’s been a long day!
“Red Velvet”
Here we change direction a little, moving into a more conversational, dreamy romantic territory. “I never buried the hatchet,” sings Essence, as she reflects on how “we are suddenly strangers, oceans apart.” She taps into those complicated feelings that accompany love, heartbreak and rejection, delivering a rather more introspective moment in the EP.
“A Confession, I’m Broke”
This was the single released from the EP, and it moves a little more into Lily Allen territory, with that close, confessional style of conversation. “Where did all my money go?” Believe me, that is my continual question! The song has enough of a dance groove to get you moving along with the beat, while the little harmonies are interesting and engaging. There is a refreshing honesty to the songwriting here.
“Can We All Slow Down”
One of the slower numbers on the EP, this track is introduced through a heartbeat-like drum rhythm. There is a hint of strings in the arrangement, and it has that very late-night-in-the-club feel. If Essence has some jazz influences in her musical background, then I think we get a glimpse of them here. It is a more understated number, encouraging the listener to slow down and take things in.
“And So It Goes”
This is a well-crafted song, blending those folk influences into a gentle pop track. It moves along calmly, with a lovely vocal performance and a wonderfully relaxing atmosphere. Dreamy and introspective, it offers a window into a quieter world, and is another track that sits comfortably within the overall mood of the EP.
“It All Comes To End”
This is rather a lovely track to close the EP. “I don’t want to sleep my whole life away,” sings Essence, as she contemplates the passing of time and the inevitability of endings. It is a melancholic number, reflecting on the end we all eventually face. A sad song, perhaps best suited to winter, but one that is beautifully sung. It provides a fitting and thoughtful conclusion to the collection.
Conclusion
Essence Martins has produced a thoughtful and rather charming collection of songs with It All Comes To End. There is a lovely blend of indie-folk and gentle pop throughout, with occasional excursions into country and jazz influences. The songwriting is personal and introspective, touching on the everyday experiences of love, money, relationships and the passage of time. There is an understated quality to much of the music, and this is an EP best appreciated when you have a little time to yourself. Put the kettle on, find a comfortable sofa and let Essence provide the soundtrack.
*
If this feature struck a chord, why not explore more of what we do? From exclusive interviews to reviews, editorials, poetry, and our own merch—there’s plenty to discover. We put a lot of heart into every piece, and if you’d like to show a little love in return, you can support us with a small donation via the Ko-Fi link below. Every coffee keeps us going—and helps keep the magazine free for all. Thank you!
You can stream music from Essence Martins here.
By Lorraine Foley
JOIN ROCK THE JOINT MAGAZINE ON A JOURNEY FOR THE BEST IN INDEPENDENT MUSIC JOURNALISM – WE COVER ROCK, COUNTRY, JAZZ AND CHRISTIAN MUSIC. LEADING FEATURES, INTERVIEWS, REVIEWS AND EDITORIALS. SUPPORT US ON KO-FI.