Self described as an ‘alternative artist’, Ellington brings a raw energy to his solo music. He has shown off his musical talent and domination within the pop-rock genre in his new single ‘Sun to Rise!‘
Ellington is in his element when around music, having had a ten year long career as a drummer in pop bands like R5 and The Driver Era. Speaking to The New Nine, the LA native described his second single as:
“The moments you feel when your world is upside down, it happens to everyone, whether it be personal or a greater issue in the world, sometimes you just have to wait for the sun to rise.’
The track itself opens with a blazing set of heavy drums and a guitar riff that makes you instantly bob your head. The artist enters with smooth, full vocals singing:
“I’ve been off the deep end / Only cuz its sweet and / Sometimes you don’t need a reason / It’s the time of our lives”
The singer stated that this line summed up how he was feeling when his career started to change and he felt ‘at the bottom.’
The track’s verses contrast with the heavy rock chorus, having a guitar solo at the end that almost demands the listener pay attention. The whole track is reminiscent of music by The Black Keys, albeit with more intense drums. As a former drummer himself, this is to be expected from his solo work. The driving force of the sultry beat and musical chaos that unfolds as the track progresses engulfs the listener, becoming a pure rock bop.
“‘Sun to Rise!’ Is the first track I recorded for my solo project and is also the most rock-leaning song that will be on my EP, while other tracks are more genre-fluid.’ – Ellington in conversation with The New Nine
His debut single ‘EMT’, released in 2020, is more experimental but delivers the same high energy that we hear in ‘Sun to Rise!’
The new solo artist is surely one to watch due to his experimental style and ability to churn out multiple bangers within a range of musical genres. ‘Sun to Rise!’ is a track that you can imagine after a mic-drop moment, walking away in a dramatic exit.
