EP REVIEW: Brooke Ellen – Haunted

’…Ellen manages to harness both the supernatural themes of the EP, and her own humanity, in a perfect balance…’

Author’s Note: Some readers may find the topic of this track upsetting, especially for those who have experienced domestic violence, sexual harassment and/or assault. UK support organisations shall be linked at the bottom of this page, although this list will be by no means exhaustive – Ryan

It’s not often a release catches me off-guard.

Certainly, there are plenty of albums that contain pleasant, or sometimes unpleasant, surprises, but it’s truly not often that I go into a release expecting one thing, and come out baffled in the best way possible. Such is the experience of listening to Brooke Ellen’s debut EP, ‘Haunted’.

Born, raised, and based in Liverpool, the singer-songwriter has been putting out a steady stream of singles for a little while now, but ‘Ghost’ represents her first longer body of work. For most, an EP functions more so as a smaller buffet of ideas to introduce listeners to that artist rather than a cohesive project.

However, that isn’t the case here. Ellen utilises references to the supernatural as a way of exploring her vulnerability, taking a close look at toxic relationships and being a survivor of sexual assault, and how that has affected who she is as a person today. Ellen manages to conjure rich and detailed sonic landscapes that defy conventional labels, placing the listener deep within Ellen’s own psyche, and guiding them through weighty and uncomfortable topics.

Take the opener, ‘Haunted’. It’s a spellbinding, symphonic beast of a track, with eerie strings punctuated by menacing brass, whilst Ellen perhaps plays the role of a vengeful spirit. Tied into the rest of the EP’s themes, however, and this track is elevated to a brilliantly fierce and introspective look at seeking vengeance on those that have wronged you, and the hope that your survival becomes a reminder in their own heads of the guilt they should feel.

Those symphonic themes continue on ‘Poltergeist’, which frames an abusive relationship as if living with a malevolent being that seeks to torment; plates smashed against the walls keeping you feeling safe within your own space. Ellen brings in just the smallest folk flair to this track, and it works beautifully to truly round out an already impressive sonic palette.

Catchier moments do exist on this EP, especially with the surprisingly funky little cut in the form of ‘Doppelgänger’; subtly bouncing bass lines groove away beneath infection vocal hooks that maintain the gently eerie atmosphere of the project, yet enable the listener to have something tangible to focus their attention on.

All of these themes are wrapped up wonderfully in the heartbreaking and powerful closing track, ‘Banshee’, which sees Ellen directly addressing her sexual assault experience, and the broken trust it has left her with. It makes for deeply uncomfortable listening, but that is the point; Ellen manages to harness both the supernatural themes of the EP, and her own humanity, in a perfect balance.

As mentioned, this is an EP that caught me off guard. ‘Haunted’ defies being labelling as a specific genre, fluctuating between several different musical ideas, yet managing to make them feel like a single, cohesive concept. It’s theatrical, but deeply human, with Ellen managing to make her own experiences feel both vibrant to listen to, yet no less impactful in their importance.

Brooke Ellen isn’t just a musician. She’s an artist. And ‘Haunted’ is a very powerful work of art.

RATING: 85/100 – Mostly Excellent

For Fans Of: Kate Bush, Fever Ray, Björk, Robyn,

Follow the artist on social media below:

Instagram // Spotify

Sexual crime survivor support links:

The Survivors Trust // RASA Merseyside // Local Support Centre Search (NHS) // Safe Gigs For Women