Single Review: Always Keep Those Days

Dani Ela’s latest single Always Keep Those Days is a delicate moment of melancholia, reminiscing in fond memories over a light bedroom pop track.

Hailing from New Plymouth, Ela crafts her music herself, with international aid for audio engineering. That independent, personal touch shimmers through Always Keep Those Days. Her fragile, heartfelt vocals are the type only captured in isolation. Underscored by comforting cyclical acoustic guitars and gentle percussion, the melodies lie in her upper range, making for a whispery, dreamy style influenced by the likes of Billie Eilish, Dodie and Phoebe Bridgers. On occasion this approach melts the lyrics into the mix more than some might like, but it certainly creates a stunning ambience suited for rainy, lonely evenings. “I know we’re never going back”, she sighs in the chorus, perfectly balancing the sadness of the sentiment with a sense of hope for the future. The slightly unpredictable melody of the bridge in particular takes this in an even more unique direction, toying with uneasy harmonies before returning to the safety of that familiar hook.

It’s clear Dani Ela has a strong idea of her artistry, and a talent for production and songwriting. This promising artist is New Zealand’s latest go-to to soundtrack your most emotional times.