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AUSTIN, TX—Eleni Drake, a British-Greek singer-songwriter, has been steadily making her mark with soothing melodies and emotionally resonant lyrics. Born in Johannesburg and raised in London, Drake has been sharing her music since 2020, creating a distinct sound that blends mellow rock with soulful vocals. While I was somewhat familiar with her music available on Spotify, her live performance at South By Southwest was a pleasant surprise.
Drake’s latest album, “Surf the Sun,” released on May 19, 2023, under her label Vanilla Sky Recordings, signifies a major milestone in her career. This album features tracks like “Harsh,” “Guts,” and “Strawberry Moon,” where she combines warm analog sounds with elements of jazz and R&B. “Guts,” in particular, stands out as a love song that delves deep into themes of gratitude and emotional connection.
One highlight of her SXSW performance was hearing her 2023 song “Rookie” live. On Spotify, “Rookie” has a mellow vibe, but live, with a full band, it transformed into something much meatier, urgent, and full of sass. This unexpected- to me- twist added a new dimension to her music, showcasing her versatility and ability to energize a live audience.
Earlier this month, Drake released her latest single, “Daisy (Keep My Sweater),” continuing to showcase her talent for creating evocative, heartfelt music. Her performance at the British Music Embassy showcase at SXSW 2024 highlighted her laid-back style, which provided a perfect afternoon escape for attendees. However, it would be interesting to see her experiment more with her musical style and push the boundaries of her genre.
Despite her recent single, there hasn’t been much news about her future projects other than her next album, “Above Deep Water,” which is scheduled for release on September 13th, 2024. Eleni Drake’s authenticity and emotional depth make her a unique presence in today’s music scene, but there’s potential for her to evolve further, and I hope that some more of that spunk I heard at the British Music Embassy showcase will shine in her recordings. Her connection with listeners is strong, and with continued growth, she could become a significant talent in the years to come.
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