Reviewed by Ian Phillips.
By Zelie, Independent 2020.
Higher is the debut single from Sydney based singer Zelie and it’s a polished introduction to an interesting artist.
In fact, I’ve had this single for a couple of months and over that time it has grown on me to the point where I’m eager to hear more from her.
To produce Higher Zelie teamed up with songwriter, Justine Eltakchi and producer Joseph de la Hoyde (known as ZU/ZU) and she had a particular outcome in mind.
“When I got into the studio I knew what I wanted to say was deep, it came from a place of experience, a dark and tough time in my life and yet valuable lessons were learnt.”
Zelie is of Turkish and English extraction and as a child she suffered from a lack of self -confidence as her family moved between England, Turkey, Australia and The Netherlands.
It was music that eventually unlocked the creativity and provided the spark that built her self-esteem.
Higher to some extent documents this journey.
It’s an interesting song built around a sparse backing of handclaps and synthetic bass so the emphasis is squarely on the lyrical content.
Zelie has an expressive voice that is at once powerful, beautiful, and versatile.
Her passion for music started at an early age. As a child she would record her own artist interviews and sings songs until they were note perfect.
“As a child I was positively brimming with curiosity and creativity but I constantly struggled with shyness. My passion for music came at a young age and has played a huge part in setting the course of my life ever since. It was through music that I found the strength to overcome my timid temperament.”
Well it has worked, for her life is rich and rewarding.
She has now performed for over 10 years; she’s a proud member of her LGBT community and she helps her partner run the Muso Lab in Sydney’s inner west.
Higher is a good song and it will be interesting to hear what she produces next.
