Ella van der Woude's voice is rendered with warmth, sensuality and self-possession. Instead of keeping the listener at arm's length, she stands extremely close, inviting you into her mind's eye with frank and unflinching disposition. The music's delicate instrumentation soothes and sedates, but the words pierce like twinges inside your stomach. Her flair for mixing the dark cavernous ambient moods and quixotic pop levity is often sparked by unconventional angles and ideas. For instance, Van der Woude's fondness of indie rock stalwarts such as Sparklehorse and Pixies has a way of filtering through the hushed abstraction.
By and large, you don't achieve such shrewd and savvy musical instincts overnight. Astonishingly enough, ELLA's upcoming LP marks the first time Van der Woude reconciles her resourceful talent for arrangement with no-frills confessional music. Originally, Van der Woude occupied herself with classical music and composition. She dabbled within the pop music idiom relatively late as singer/guitarist of (now defunct) Amsterdam indie rockers Houses, achieving modest success with LP Clean Life. Houses was a democratic, all-eggs-in-one-basket kind of affair, a band that excelled both in sparse simplicity and heavier sonic riptides.
Until then, Van der Woude's individual output mostly materialized with scores for films. After Houses disbanded, she began experimenting in her bedroom with the simplistic palette of baritone guitar, Juno synth and voice, in an attempt to mold some score ideas into songs. By then, she fortuitously met producer Stew Jackson (Phantom Limb, Massive Attack) in Amsterdam. Over the years, the two kept in touch and gradually started molding the arrangements with a strong emphasis on groove, spatiality and suspense, without sacrificing the intuitive trajectory of the music.
The result is a collection of subdued, reflective songs that somehow resonate fearlessly and unambiguously. ELLA offers a kind boost and comforting shoulder with each swift stumble or push, safely preventing a free fall into the heavy-hearted abyss. But just long enough, however, for a substantial peer into its fathomless depth.
Restless
Ella van der Woude Lyrics
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Bothers every face I encounter on the way
Recover all the long wasted hours
Sick of your dictation
See the shame taking over
Cripples my reactions
Restless hours in a slow paced cover
Reminder of a sweet mutilation
Beating down my intentions
See the shame taking over
Cripples my reactions
Oh my loves have left behind
Creeping traces on my mind
Oh my loves have left me blind
Silent rages never drown
Don't you think it ever goes away
Take a place among the memory
I'm open for change
Don't you think you'll ever look at me
Take a moment to relieve the shame
I'm pouring on my name
I'm pouring on my name
The lyrics of Ella van der Woude's song "Restless" reflect a sense of inner turmoil and self-reflection. In the first stanza, the singer expresses frustration with feeling constrained and suffocated by expectations ("Useless cover in a poor name"). They feel weighed down by the judgments of others and the wasted time spent complying with societal norms ("Recover all the long wasted hours/Sick of your dictation"). The mention of shame creeping in and paralyzing their responses suggests a struggle with self-doubt and a desire to break free from constraints imposed by external forces.
The second stanza continues to explore this theme of feeling trapped and restless within oneself. The singer describes a sense of stagnation and dissatisfaction with their past failures, longing for a fresh perspective ("Restless hours in a slow paced cover/Trying to give to my failures a new gaze"). The reference to a "sweet mutilation" could suggest that memories or past experiences have left a lasting impact, leading to a conflict between their aspirations and the obstacles they face ("Beating down my intentions"). The recurring theme of shame and its debilitating effect on their ability to react further underscores their internal struggles.
The third stanza delves into the pain of lost love and its lingering impact on the singer's psyche. The haunting memory of past relationships leaves lasting imprints on their thoughts and emotions ("Oh my loves have left behind/Creeping traces on my mind"). The phrase "silent rages never drown" hints at unresolved emotions and internal turmoil that continue to affect their perception and emotional well-being. The sense of blindness and being left behind by their loves adds to the feeling of isolation and emotional heaviness that weighs them down.
In the final stanza, the singer appears to address both themselves and an external presence, perhaps a former lover or a person from their past. They question whether the feelings of shame and regret will ever dissipate ("Don't you think it ever goes away/Take a place among the memory"). The plea for a moment of reflection and a chance to break free from the burden of shame conveys a desire for redemption and self-acceptance ("I'm open for change/I'm pouring on my name"). The repetition of the last line, "I'm pouring on my name," could symbolize a cleansing or purging process, as the singer strives to rid themselves of their inner turmoil and reclaim their sense of self-worth.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Ella van der Woude
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind