Nieve Ella – ‘Watch It Ache And Bleed’ EP review: rising star enters a compelling new chapter

17 October, 2024

Nieve Ella in a red dress on a couch, photo by Mollie McKay

This year isn’t one that Nieve Ella is likely to forget. From gracing NME’s Cover to preparing for a support slot with Girl In Red, 2024 has seen the singer expand her already devoted legion of fans – and embark on a series of live shows that have left her “ready to make the jump from cult hero to proper stardom”.

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Now, after making waves with her 2023 EPs ‘Lifetime Of Wanting’ and ‘Young & Naive’, she’s back with ‘Watch It Ache And Bleed’, a captivating and intoxicating release that sees her begin a new chapter. Aged just 21, Ella solidifies her status as one of the most intriguing rising artists in recent years. Her unique blend of pop, ‘90s indie and self-aware lyricism is out in full force, as are some unexpected additions that push her sound into new territory.

Opening track ‘Anything’ is one of the most pristine examples. Whether it’s the charismatic guitar riff that opens the EP or the enchanting vocal melodies that lay her innermost thoughts bare, each aspect of the track feels constructed with purpose. A similar story goes for the follow-up, ‘Sugarcoated’; it’s a powerful depiction of what first put Ella on the map, written with the stage in mind and a soon-to-be classic in her discography.

That said, ‘Watch It Ache And Bleed’ is far from Ella simply playing to her strengths. In one way tracks such as ‘The Things We Say’, ‘The Reason’ and ‘Stop Me!’ find her doing what she does best: delivering candid, captivating lyrics that resonate with all of us in high and low moments alike. Yet, in another way, there’s a newfound sense of maturity here that separates this EP from Ella’s earlier releases. “It’s hard to call it quits when everything I wanted was exactly this,” she ponders in the stripped-back, piano-led ballad ‘The Reason’. “I’m trying to plead with you / I get down on my knees / Your foot’s in the doorway when I’m begging to leave.”

As the song gradually builds towards its climax, you’d be forgiven for thinking this emotive approach is one that will dominate the EP. That is, until Ella proves she has one last trick up her sleeve with the tongue-in-cheek anthem ‘Ganni Top’. As it kicks into gear with a joyous scream, earlier moments of rose-tinted melancholy are juxtaposed with an empowering, brazen and sexually-empowered hit.

Not only does ‘Watch It Ache And Bleed’ prove that Ella is still the reigning champion of enthrallingly blended indie-pop, but it also showcases an unmissable growth from the singer along with a refusal to be pigeonholed. There is no doubt that this is some of her strongest material to date. With each of the eight tracks, the rising star proves that she understands herself and her sound more than ever before. She’s walking the fine line between self-growth and carefree joy with ease.