British singer and songwriter Ella Jinks announces her new EP 'The In Between' out March 7th + releases its heartfelt title track
Photo: Garry Jones
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NEW EP ‘THE IN BETWEEN’, OUT MARCH 7TH
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Following on from her highly-praised debut EP ‘Conversations’ last year, London-based singer-songwriter Ella Jinks has now announced her plans for her second EP ‘The In Between’, showcased by its heartfelt title-track.
Featuring the BBC Introducing-supported “Maybe In Another Life” and the widely-adored “This Fall”, which was co-written alongside renowned artist Katie Melua, ‘The In Between’ finds the artist in one of her more progressive and admirable guises yet. Showcased by its beautifully endearing title-track that looks to heighten her emotive folk-pop aesthetic to date, Ella Jinks is set to kick off her 2025 with a truly wondrous new delight.
Speaking about the EP, she said, “The In Between“ as an EP, delves into the more uncomfortable parts of self discovery and learning to face those darker aspects of ourselves that we tend to keep hidden. The act of creating and sharing this project in itself has become a form of self-expression for me and a way of reclaiming parts of myself that I might have struggled to accept in the past. The songs became a cathartic release, a way of confronting my shadows and learning not to perceive them as flaws but as valuable parts of my identity”
While adding about its title-track, “The In Between,” the title track of my upcoming EP, is a song about self-sabotage and staying trapped in negative cycles. It reflects on how, at times, it feels easier to remain stuck than to make those important changes. Writing this song was a moment of realisation for me of just how stagnant I felt in various parts of my life at the time.”
There is a dichotomy at the heart of Ella Jinks that makes her a fascinating artistic proposition. Her voice is utterly distinctive: a rich, sonorous vocal which conveys emotional resonance in a style that can only come from someone with a wealth of life experience behind her. Her songwriting is just as classic, her bluesy, soulful indie-folk singer-songwriter style possessing a timelessness which echoes influences such as Laura Marling, Joni Mitchell and Lianne La Havas. And yet for all of her older soul, Ella’s lyrics tap into the eternal themes of young adulthood - discovering who you are, accepting your strengths, weaknesses and foibles, and learning to grow.
All of these traits fall into sharp focus as the 24-year-old, from Walthamstow, east London, prepares to release her second EP “The In Between” early in 2025. It represents a bold step forward from the skeletal intimacy of her 2023 debut “Conversations”, with grander, full live-band productions supported by elegant vocal harmonies and evocative string arrangements.
“My vocals are the focal point of my music,” begins Ella. “My main collaborator Matt Ingram and I always say that the most important aspect of the music is to support my voice. So while this EP is much fuller sounding, my voice is still the main focus.”
While Matt Ingram (Florence + The Machine, Laura Marling) is Ella’s primary co-writer, the journey towards ‘The In Between’ presented the opportunity to write with the renowned Katie Melua. They collaborated via Zoom during sessions spanning a year, resulting in several songs including ‘The Fall’ which features on the upcoming EP.
The pair also shared another common experience to bond over. During her breakthrough, Katie Melua became a prime example of how a young artist could prosper after graduating from the BRIT School. And now Ella Jinks is firmly on course to follow in her footsteps. Her parents always encouraged her to pursue her creativity, and in her teen years she discovered that songwriting enabled her to process her feelings and to let go of situations and move on with her life. It was a talent that was exponentially heightened at the BRIT School.
Perhaps even more important was the life experience it presented. Endless opportunities for collaboration and far greater life experiences all prompted immense artistic growth. While some of her fellow students from the time are now flying high - Oliva Dean, Matilda Mann, Maya Delilah - Ella had the confidence to take her time and hone in on her own personal style. The “Conversations” EP was largely a DIY introduction which established a first wave of interest and led to a debut headline show at Aces and Eight. But now, further powered by contributions from bassist Chris Dagger (The Staves, Freya Ridings) and strings from Tom Hobden (Noah and the Whale, Gang of Youths) the ‘The In Between’ EP can elevate Ella to the next level.
“My music is very vulnerable and is very honest and kind of introspective, and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” concludes Ella, before swiftly correcting herself. “It couldn’t be any other way.”
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