Liverpool-based soul-pop artist Eleanor delivers a deeply personal and genre-bending debut with her long-awaited EP, There’s No Quiet, There’s Little Relief. Released on May 16th, this five-track collection is a raw and honest exploration of emotional firsts, infused with blues, funk, folk, and jazz, creating a sound that cuts deep and resonates with a decade of lived experience.
Eleanor describes the EP as a culmination of her journey from ages 16 to 21, a project that has evolved alongside her own growth. “It’s dramatic, messy, and self-involved—in the best way,” she shares, emphasizing the cathartic and healing power of finally releasing this body of work. This intimate reflection is palpable throughout the EP, making it a compelling listen.
Musically, There’s No Quiet, There’s Little Relief is a testament to Eleanor’s eclectic influences and her willingness to experiment. Her blues and classical roots are evident, yet they seamlessly blend with the polished sheen of modern pop. The production, handled by Ben Lowe, James Wyatt (Sloeflower Studio), Matt Humphries, and Dave Ormsby, is rich in texture, featuring lush string arrangements, unusual instrumentation, and bold shifts that keep the listener engaged. From the brooding tension of “Cold Day in Hell” to the cinematic sweep of “Prey,” the EP navigates the chaotic theatre of young love, delving into heartbreak, infatuation, and betrayal with striking emotional depth.
The lead track, “Sugar,” pulses with an infectious energy, while “Ghost” sets a moody tone. The EP also features the poignant “Stuck on loving you (brokenhearted intro)” leading into “Stuck on loving you,” showcasing Eleanor’s ability to craft narratives through her music. As she puts it, these are “everything I couldn’t say out loud at the time, so I let the music speak for me.”
Mastered by Morten Lund, the final result is a sprawling yet focused emotional archive, brimming with strong musical abilities and intimate reflection. There’s No Quiet, There’s Little Relief is a powerful debut that invites listeners into Eleanor’s world, offering a poignant reminder of the beauty found in vulnerability and the transformative power of artistic expression. For those seeking music that is both deeply personal and sonically adventurous, Eleanor’s EP is a must-listen.
