{"id":6146,"date":"2021-05-04T08:16:00","date_gmt":"2021-05-04T07:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ipamusic.co.uk\/?p=6146"},"modified":"2021-05-01T17:16:49","modified_gmt":"2021-05-01T16:16:49","slug":"naz-ella-flag-themselves-as-ones-to-watch-with-a-grunge-folk-treat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ipamusic.co.uk\/?p=6146","title":{"rendered":"Naz & Ella flag themselves as ones to watch with a grunge-folk treat"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

REVIEW: Naz & Ella – (De)Humanise EP (self-released)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Naz & Ella are a grunge-folk duo from north London, and if this EP is anything to go by, they’re going to be a name to look out for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blending folk, post-punk and grunge influences such as The Cranberries, Phoebe Bridgers, PJ Harvey and Nirvana, they have a sound that’s very much their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nasreen Toorabally and Ella Patenall, who met at school, have been part of the alternative folk scene since 2009.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This EP, their second, marks a shift from stripped-back acoustic music to a much darker sound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Grunge-folk duo Naz and Ella. Pic: Poppy Marriott.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Intertwining guitar riffs and spoken word combine with sublime harmonies on songs with a keen sense of social justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This EP is packed with acerbic commentary on topics like racism, animal rights, and normalised sexual harassment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two tracks, Internalised <\/em>and No (Doesn\u2019t Mean Convince Me)<\/em>, were released as singles earlier this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Opener Internalised <\/em>shares their story of navigating queerphobia within a relationship, and the guilt and shame it can evoke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Grunge-folk duo Naz and Ella. Pic: Poppy Marriott.<\/strong><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Lyrics such as “Long hair, flowing dress\/Am I the woman society wants me to be?” examine expectations based on looks, and how liberating finding the courage to ignore such preconceptions can be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No (Doesn\u2019t Mean Convince Me)<\/em> is a powerful dark, gritty song, with a brooding Nirvana-like bassline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Women’s anthem<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Verses like “I\u2019m the prey\/You\u2019re the hunter\/Anonymous\/Not responsible” are made even more poignant by Sarah Everard’s recent murder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There’s palpable anger as Naz sings: “I’m done\/With feeling like a piece of meat\/I\u2019m human too\/It\u2019s time\/This normalised behaviour\/Is put to sleep.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the Reclaim These Streets movement which is campaigning for women’s safety needs an anthem, it’s right here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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