Ella Vos’s ‘Cellophane’ may seem understated, passive and moody but amidst its downtempo beats, erratic tones, and stinging vocals emerge the artistry that has so far elevated the American singer-songwriter above that of her contemporaries.

With some intriguing beats shaking away in the background, a touch of electric guitar building up to the chorus as well as a subtle but mournful effect of the organ, Vos succeeds in establishing a melancholic, soulful mood around the composition. At its core, it is a love song, serving as an indictment of a rotten culture that seeks to break down romantic connections but also speaks to Vos’ self-admitted issues with commitment and communication that pose threats for their relationship. 

Ella Vos’ most notable quality for this song is how she deploys her raw, high-pitched vocals; owing to the themes of track, it would be helpful to have the singer to share their emotions as honestly as possible. The slight cracks and breathy pauses throughout her vocal performance help accentuate the brevity of her message and shed light on the background instrumentation that ultimately has just the right measures of eeriness and romance. A classically trained pianist, Vos has been in the music industry for quite a while, first as a keyboardist for BORNS and more recently as a singer-songwriter upon the birth of a son. 

The subject of motherhood has since been explored through her music, as it formed the central theme in her first single ‘White Noise’. Over the years, she has performed in multiple festivals around North America, including Bonnaroo, and gone on tour alongside Freya Ridings. However, she was diagnosed with cancer not too long and drew attention to the hardships of the treatment by incorporating it into her music. Speaking on why she chose to do that, she says;

I like documenting stuff. This was important to document. And now, I’m glad that I did it. We filmed on the last day of treatment so it felt like closure. A nice little finish to that period of time. And so now I watch it and I feel hopeful. I was in especially good spirits that day. It was the last day and I’m smiling a lot in the video..”

  Singer-songwriter     Pop