Ellis' Debut: Melancholy Meets Cliché

Hamilton, Ontario's Linnea Siggelkow, known as Ellis, has released her debut full-length album, Born Again. The project, which began in her bedroom four years ago, is characterized by a sentimental and melancholy dream-pop sound. Siggelkow was inspired to learn guitar at age 12 by Avril Lavigne's "Complicated," marking her first departure from traditional piano studies.

Born Again charts Ellis' disillusionment with her religious upbringing and its lasting impact on her mental state. While her lyrics touch on themes of shame and lost hope, the music frequently relies on familiar emo-pop elements such as gentle guitar reverb, windswept synths, and predictable song structures. This reliance on cliché can often subsume potentially ambiguous meanings into a hazy, echoey soundscape.

Occasionally, Ellis' distinct perspective shines through, offering moments of striking imagery, such as in the title track. However, these instances are often contrasted with lyrics heavily dependent on common tropes. When struggling to articulate her emotions, Ellis resorts to amplified declarations that can undermine the feelings she aims to convey.

Despite its open-heartedness, the album's predictable arrangements and atmospheric production tend to obscure Ellis' attempts at genuine introspection. The overall effect is a collection of songs that, while sentimental, offer limited lasting impact.