nellie returns with new single “Garden”

First unveiling her artistic vision in 2021 via her debut single “Columbus, Ohio,” Brooklyn-based artist nellie then collaborated with Christian Sparacio on “Margeurite” and released her single “Acquaintances” in 2022. Since then, she’s taken a hiatus from her musical adventure.

Nellie’s music is deeply personal, drawing inspiration from periods of reflection rather than immediate experiences. Over the past two years, she has processed her emotions and is now ready to present them in Carousel, her upcoming debut EP that thematically tracks stages of self-discovery.

This collection of songs chronicles a metamorphosis brought about by a breakup, capturing a personal revolution through creative exploration. Marking her return to sharing her compelling sound, she brings us the lead single titled “Garden” lifted off the EP, which has already made an impression on fans and critics alike.

The track’s submission to NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest was a last-minute decision, yet it stood out among countless entries, earning nellie a spot on NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest Top Shelf of 2024. This accolade speaks volumes about the raw and moving quality and wide appeal of her music.

Produced by Charles Myers, who’s previously worked his music icon Mark Ronson, “Garden” offers a beautiful indie folk sound cut with subtly pop-focused melodic writing. Brought in by the warm tones of acoustic guitar and delicate touches of atmospheric notes, nellie’s elegant voice glides in to stitch stunning melodies into the heartwarming arrangement.

Developing with the subtle pulse of kick which adds a soft rhythmic pulse, the shuffle of the kit adds to the lilting sway as dashes of colourful instrumentation wrap around nellie’s incredible vocal performance. Flowing from an intimate aesthetic to a subtly anthemic sound with the swell of rising instrumentation, the intricate ebb and flow between verse and chorus crafts an enveloping listening experience that’s moving and enjoyable in equal measure. With her forthcoming debut EP on the horizon, 2024 is set to be a thrilling new chapter for this talented artist as she charms listeners with her delightful musical output.

Commenting on the single, nellie shares, “I wrote this song out of lost hope. I was stuck in a sunken place, and didn’t have much energy to pursue music. But as I sat on my apartment deck on another regular Saturday morning, it hit me. I was taking it all in – the sights, sounds, and smells of my city. New York City is a big place. And yet, our communities are so tightly compacted both physically and emotionally. I knew the routines of my neighbours, what shows they liked, music they listened to, the laughs of their friends so intimately. If I knew this much about them, I wondered how much they knew about me.”

Listen to Garden below

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