I picked this album out of the overflowing in-tray (noting one of the bosses had grabbed the new Ringo Starr album!), relaxed into the old sofa with a glass of red and watched the clock slip into night. In my review, which comes along a bit, I note that I always feel different music slots into spaces in the day. This is an album for late night sofas, cats and (maybe) a hobnob biscuit (or two).
First of all, let’s turn to the press release for some background on Ella Clayton,
East London singer-songwriter Ella Clayton will release her second studio album, ‘Could It Be You?’ on 24th April and celebrate with a launch show at London’s 100 Club the following month.
Blending soulful folk storytelling with emotional honesty, Ella continues to enchant audiences with her mesmeric vocals and relatable lyrics. The new record transforms uncertainty into revelation with 11 songs mapping out modern love, loneliness and the quiet process of getting to know yourself, offering listeners both solace and self-recognition.
Ella: “This record is a journey through longing and self-interrogation, the search for something or someone outside of myself to tell me who I am and what I want. I hope that people recognise themselves in these snapshots from my life and take comfort in the shared experience.”
Along with producer Lester Duval (Pip Millet, Alfa Mist) Ella wanted this record to feel like a warm hug and to sound like musicians playing together in the same room. With George Ezra kindly offering up his Hotel Quebec studio for three days, they were able to track the rhythm section for all songs live.The result is a piece of work that captures the raw immediacy of Ella’s beloved live-stage sound, while making space for lush and cinematic moments throughout. Genre-bending, her unique voice is the thread that weaves throughout.
Photo by Amy Lauffer Neff
My Review:
“Please Me” is urban late-night bluesy jazz. An intimate narrative with a melodic sway, a slow dance by candlelight in a midnight bar.”It is music to make love to, or at least have a relaxing hot chocolate and time with your sofa!
“Mouth Said Money” has a slightly faster beat, with the drums pushed further forward in the mix and a slightly poppy groove with a bit of vocal fireworks.
“Dolomites” is a laid back track that has a direction change and a kick mid-section. “Why won’t anybody let me be” sings Ella Clayton and delivers a strong soulful vocal in the process.
“Ripples” is a sad song with the fingers of winter lying in the grooves. It is a song of the wind taking the leaves of the late Autumn tree, a song for dark night and hidden emotions finding their way under the lamp light. Instrumentally pleasant with these moments of violin and ripples in the bedsheets.
“I Miss Strangers” turns things round a bit as we have a snappy number, studying faces in the train and stepping up a pace. It’s a likeable mid-album track with a nice stripped back beat and feel. It’s a song about time unravelling.
“Could It Be You” reminded me a bit of Tanita Tikaram vocally, it draws you into the tale, a very steady and folk based sound. For me, music often fits a time of day and this style of gentle love song suits the late night candles and glass of wine just fine.
“Rain All Day” – “rain all day, see if I care!” sings Ella as she steps outside. Sometimes it does rain all day and Ella seems to be fine with that.. A drifting folk number.
“October Trip” settles into the Autumn mists with a closely intimate song singing of the moment you tell the other you love them and wonder if that will make them disappear into those very mists. A touch of cold in a warm album.
“Seagull Song” saw me relax into the twilight section of the album. For sure, these are songs to unwind to and this one “blows away” in the breeze. Watch a seagull fly over the waves in the evening moonlight and you will drift nicely with this number.
“Tell Me Something” opens with a mournful feeling, a very gentle melody for a song about the simple desire of needing to be told what to do sometimes. It’s a song about that 3am feeling.
“As You Are” I liked a lot, a strong guitar sound opens it, grabbing the attention as it rolls through the headphones. At just under 5 minutes it is a long track and the layered vocals add texture to this one as well.
Ella Clayton is an emerging name in the soulful folk style genre, a singer songwriter with a great voice.
Interview with Ella Clayton.
In the press release you talk about the “snapshots” of your life. One of the friends of the magazine is Shirley King (BB King’s daughter) and she tells us how as you get older you experience more and the songs you sing naturally lyrically begin to turn more to the blues. Do you agree?
Ella: It does fascinate me how songs change their meaning over time – but I’m not sure I agree they turn to the blues. Some songs feel more sad to sing with time, while others make me feel happiness or compassion for my sweet young self.
I will give you a sneaky look at my review of one of the tracks (Ripples) – “Ripples” is a sad song with the fingers of winter lying in the grooves. It is a song of the wind taking the leaves of the late Autumn tree, a song for dark night and hidden emotions finding their way under the lamp light. Instrumentally pleasant with these moments of violin and ripples in the bedsheets.”
So that is my take on the track…what is your view of it?
Ella: That’s a beautifully poetic take on ‘Ripples’! I prefer not to say too much because I love making my own interpretations when I listen to music, and I’d like others to have that same experience with mine.
The opener “Please Me” is urban late night bluesy jazz, a slow dance in a midnight bar…did it always shout out to be the album opener or were there other candidates?
Ella: I spent a long time working out the sequencing. It’s so crucial to shaping how the listener experiences the songs! Especially with my album having such a wide range of genres. I had a few ideas and tested them with my brother, who was really helpful in the process. In the end, ‘Please Me’ won because of that opening riff. It opens the record with real impact, and in terms of the emotional arc, it feels like the right place to begin.
Your song ‘Only Bodies’ was featured in the BAFTA-winning film Sweetheart, as well as Netflix’s interactive series Dead Man’s Phone, that must have been a thrill! Are you interested in songwriting for film and television generally? Would you write songs for others?
Ella: Yeah, absolutely. I love writing to a brief and collaborating with others, especially on projects beyond my own. It’s definitely something I’m keen to pursue more. Any publishers out there, make yourselves known!
Looking backwards, were you from a musical family? Were you that girl in trouble in school for singing in the corridors and bunking off PE to listen to music (I was lol)? When did the desire to perform start?
Ella: I grew up surrounded by music at home. Neither of my parents pursued it professionally, but it was a huge part of their lives, and we still play and sing together all the time. I was definitely that girl at school (laughing). I used to get in trouble for singing without even realising! I remember performing live for the first time in a pub when I was about eight – everyone stopped still – probably because they were like, who’s that child on stage in this boozer? But it felt really powerful and even the nerves were part of the thrill. I think I was hooked from then on.
Your debut album “Murmurations” came out in 2022, do you see the new album as a close sibling to this album or more of a distant cousin?
Ella: Ooo that’s interesting. I think they’re long lost siblings.
What news can you share with us for the remainder of 2026?
Ella: I’m heading out on tour in May, my first UK headline tour, which culminates in London at the 100 Club, the biggest venue I’ve played so far (!!!) Then it’s a few summer festivals and more headline gigs (more on that soon!) I’d love to join a UK and European support tour for Autumn. Beyond that, I’ve started recording my third studio album with new producers Matt Cooke and Michael Hemmings, which I’m really excited about. I can’t wait to be back in the studio.
And a fun question to finish on:
It is a hard winter’s night. The tour van/bus has broken down and a harsh wind blows through the night. Nearby you see a small house, it seems abandoned, yet there is a fire burning, food on the table and working electricity. While you wait for morning – what book and what film will get you through the night?
Ella: Under Major Domo Minor by Patrick DeWitt is one of my favourite books of all time. It’s creepy but really entertaining. Film wise, it would have to be an old favourite that I’ve seen thousands of times, I’d say Lost in Translation.
So…in summary as we close things down, Ella Clayton has crafted a record for night owls, thinkers and tender souls. In a noisy world, Could It Be You? succeeds by never needing to raise its voice.
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You can stream music by Ella Clayton here
By Lorraine Foley
Tour news:
Ella’s album launch show has been confirmed to take place at Soho’ 100 Club – tickets HERE. Further tour dates now confirmed and below:
22.4 April Bicycle Club, Norwich
23.4 April Folklore Rooms Brighton
01.05 – Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds
04.05 – Band on the wall, Manchester
23.05 – Late Spring Folk Festival
28.05 – 100 Club, London
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