Lizzie Esau EP Spilling Out The Truth review:

Like the calm before a storm, ‘She’s a Scorpio’ is a light entrance point into Lizzie Esau’s empowering EP Spilling Out The Truth. The infectious track is made for the dancefloor, with classic indie-rock guitar riffs topped by Esau’s angelic vocals. The singers voice feels like a fresh breeze. Reminding you of better times, the song feels strangely nostalgic. Its certain that Esau has a talent for taking her heartbreak and crafting it into something beautiful, a talent she also showcased on her last two EP’s ‘Deepest Blue’ and ‘Perspectives.’

‘Last Moment’ follows as a final moment of relaxation before the EP explodes into violent riffs and vulnerable topics. The song is almost a preview of the next track, with the same chilling humming that can be heard in both tracks. It feels like Esau is teasing you. Holding a cake Infront of you but not quite letting you reach for it yet. With whispers, glitches and unknown noises in the background of the song, you begin feeling nervous for what’s to come. Somehow a song that’s only just over a minute long evokes so many emotions of fear and intrigue. “I’ve got a secret” Esau mutters. What’s the secret? You wonder.

Fiery, intense guitar starts ‘Impossible + Strange,’ followed by contrasting, soft vocals. Esau’s addictive voice slowly gets more unapologetic especially in the last verse where her vocals are passionate and heated. “No, you don’t care because it’s my my my mind” is boldly on repeat, catching you off guard. Its easy to hear the upset Esau is emphasising while her lyrics depict someone mistreating you for personal gain. Feeling like a rock-queen anthem, ‘Impossible + Strange’ is a song I can imagine screaming alone in my room. It may begin slow, but once again Esau is just teasing and it very quickly layers into a complex wave of spirited guitar and unshakable lyrics.

Instantly intense in a wash of haunting guitar, forth track ‘Wait Too Late’ is easily a favourite. Immediately feeling hot-blooded, the powerful music is unstoppable, leaving you with a cold shiver. Grappling dark themes, “CRY, WAR, RAGE, WE FEAR” Esau shouts before each chorus. The message of the song is what are we doing? Why are we killing eachother and animals just for money in our pockets? The last section of the song is a raging storm, out of control reflecting the tormenting lyrics. The track feels like a continuation of ‘Love It If We Made It’ by The 1975 if it was backed by Fontaines DC’s music.

Finally, the album ends with a more breezy tone. Esau’s vocals are very raw and harsh, “I’m done trying to be cool for you” she announces. Depicting freedom and being yourself, ‘Cool’ is a role-model song for teenagers. Striking guitar and commanding drums with the weighty lyrics are persuasive, the perfect light-hearted note for the album to finish on.