Brooklyn based Elle King releases her self-titled debut EP in the UK this month which showcases her raw husky voiced banjo driven talent to a growing audience of fans. Her hardbitten delivery is something she’s been developed whilst playing in New York from the age of 16, helped by some fake ID to get her nightclub spots. She has been making quite a name for herself thanks to her song ‘Playing for Keeps‘ (which doesn’t appear on the UK release) being selected as VH1’s Mob Wives Chicago series. This step up the rungs of success has led to her touring with the likes Of Monsters and Men and Michael Kiwanuka as well as opening for Dry the River and Ed Sheeran.
Her songwriting has proven a carthartic release for her inner angst, her bright delivery masking an underlying anger and attitude that is evident in her songs. The addition of a live cover of hip-hop artist Khia’s crude My Neck, My Back seems an unlikely addition but she shows her humourous and gutsy carefree attitude by including it. I’d never heard of Khia before or this song about giving a woman head…the crowd seemed to love it, I’d have preferred some cover of Bukowski’s poetry personally…of whom she’s a fan so it may yet happen.
Whilst the live track may cheapen it for some the highlight is the other two tracks ‘Good to be a Man’ and ‘No One can Save You’ which are well worth a listen!
Tracks
Listen on Deezer
Early Influences