Australian pop artist E^ST has just released her highly-anticipated debut album I'M DOING IT, and it's every bit as good as we thought it would be. It's 13 tracks of pop goodness, and we're so glad it's finally here.
When we spoke to E^ST at the end of last year about the album, she told us it was a colourful affair, and listening to the album, it feels like each song has a distinct colour to it. We've taken a look at each track on the album, and what makes each song so great - and of course, which colour each song would be!
FIT FOR COMPANY
FIT FOR COMPANY opens the album, and it's a track about being unable to get someone out of your head. Much like the first half of the album, it's all about dealing with a breakup, and the emotional impact that has.
When you've spent so long with someone, it's hard to be anything but the image that person moulded you into, with E^ST singing "You gave me shape/Like I’m made of clay". The soaring, anthemic instrumentation helps to elevate E^ST's vocals, and it feels like a statement to open the album. Already, we're hearing E^ST's music take a leap forward.
Colour: Grey - the colour of clay
FLIGHT PATH
On FLIGHT PATH, E^ST sings about someone who she once knew what their "favourite colour" was (fitting), but now she doesn't know what they're up to. They used to watch the planes together, but that's not an option anymore.
The upbeat piano riff belies the lyrics of the track, which is something E^ST uses to great effect on this album. It's a very bittersweet song - depending on your view, it's either a self-love anthem, or a story of being unable to move on. She's doing things by herself, but is that what she truly wants?
Colour: Sky blue
MAYBE IT'S ME
MAYBE IT'S ME feels like it's taken from a sticky dancefloor in the past. As E^ST sings about whether she's the one that caused her relationships to break down, the instrumentation feels like it could be played at a nightclub with a disco ball going overhead.
E^ST isn't afraid of some self-reflection on I'M DOING IT, but she's not going to bring the listener while she's doing it. You'll find it hard to resist to get up and move while you're listening to MAYBE IT'S ME, especially when you hear her vocal runs at the end of each chorus. It's a ton of fun.
Colour: Silver - the colour of a disco ball
FOUND SOMEBODY
FOUND SOMEBODY is all about the realisation that your ex has moved on, and the jealousy that comes with that idea. Not everyone moves on at the same pace - but as E^ST sings, "I can't believe you found somebody".
E^ST embraces vocal effects and laidback electronic beats on this track, mirroring the quiet realisation that you're not quite over someone yet. It's a lo-fi beat, and it shows off another side of E^ST's sound. No matter where you are in the break-up cycle (or even if you're not), you'll find a song on I'M DOING IT that hits home.
Colour: Hulk green with envy
FRESH OUT OF LOVE
At some point, love gets too much. For E^ST, she's going through that on FRESH OUT OF LOVE. People keep expecting her to give and give, but she's not able to anymore. She's all out of love to give.
The song is driven by a haunting piano riff and soaring vocals, and it perfectly encapsulates that feeling of tiredness. At some point, you've got to call it quits, and for E^ST, that moment is right now.
Colour: Faded red
I'M NOT FUNNY ANYMORE
I'M NOT FUNNY ANYMORE is the audio equivalent of a break-up in real time - so fair warning, it's an emotional gut punch. E^ST is realising her ex doesn't find her as exciting as he once did, and they're drifting apart.
Her vocals drive the track, and each note is emotionally charged. There's a light piano riff underneath, but the focus is her vocals, and each lyric hits harder than the last. You might want to grab some tissues for this one.
Colour: Black - the darkness before the light
TURN
TURN is the mid-point of the album, and it feels like E^ST is making a deliberate attempt to turn things around. Yes, she's been through a rough break-up, but she can turn it around.
Already, the vocals are happier on TURN, and the vocal harmonies help the song feel softer and more upbeat than we've really heard on the album so far. There's a new edge to E^ST's voice - one of resolve.
Colour: Orange - the colour of rebirth
TALK DEEP
TALK DEEP is all about the excitement of meeting someone new, and the energy that's between the two of you whenever you're together.
There's a driving bassline that makes the song come alive, and there's a genuine electricity that comes from E^ST's vocals. She's bounced back from the break-up, and she's feeling better than ever.
Colour: Bright yellow
NO ONE WITH YOU
E^ST doesn't want much - she just wants to spend time with the new person she's met. Yes, they've both been through break-ups in the past, but she just wants to spend time with them.
Once again, her vocals feel elevated and breezy, because she's a lot more carefree than she was on the first half of the album. She's able to see the break-up for what it was, and now she's able to move on with someone else.
Colour: Hot pink
WALKING HOME IN THE RAIN
There's something extremely romantic about walking in the rain with the right person. Singing over a light piano line, before the soaring instrumentation kicks in, E^ST realises she doesn't mind the rain, because she's feeling great.
There's nothing wrong with getting a little bit wet, and there's nothing wrong with taking a risk. E^ST has emerged out the other side of her break-up, and she's all the better for it.
Colour: The blue of the water
GET THROUGH
E^ST has felt pain again in the form of another break-up, but this time it's not bringing her world down. She's got the support of her friends, and she will GET THROUGH this.
There's a quiet understanding that this too will pass, and E^ST's vocals convey this. She's going to be fine, and one of these days, this will just be another memory. She's got this, more than she might have previously, if she hadn't experienced heartbreak before.
Colour: Purple
I WANNA BE HERE
E^ST is spending time with her friends in I WANNA BE HERE, and while her mind is wandering, she's enjoying the time she's got with those that have her back.
I WANNA BE HERE is one of the songs on the album that make you want to get up and dance, and it reflects the feeling of a night out. Even when you aren't in the moment, it's easy to pull yourself back to reality, because there's something special about being surrounded by those you love.
Colour: Lipstick red
I'M DOING IT
Album closer I'M DOING IT is a realisation that sometimes, you have to put yourself first. E^ST knows she's gotta take care of herself, even when it doesn't come naturally.
It's a combination of the moods of both the first and second halves of the album. It feels like she's still processing her break-up on I'M DOING IT, but with a new resolve. She'll be ok, even if in the moment she's still making her way through it.
Colour: Rainbow - because it's a combination of the whole album!
READ MORE: E^ST's Powerful Like A Version Cover Of Joji's 'Slow Dancing In The Dark' Will Hit You Right In The Heart
If you're looking for something to keep you warm, or just to pick up a treat for yourself (after all, you deserve it), then you can grab some new E^ST merch here.