Mary Elle – Movie Ticket (2024)
Not necessarily sparking her passion for music but at least bringing her talent to the world, singer-songwriter Mary Elle entered the music scene after a video of her performing at a school music festival was discovered. Discovered by who, I hear you ask. Other than an international audience, musician and producer Gregory Darling was intrigued by her talent and a musical collaboration began. Guiding Mary Elle on her musical journey, the pair co-wrote Elle’s first single ‘Movie Ticket’ when she was only 14 years old – it is ‘Movie Ticket’ that we take a gander at today.
Several years after it was penned, ‘Movie Ticket’ follows Mary Elle’s debut single ‘Serotonin’. As Elle only has two tracks to her name, or at least that’s according to Spotify, she might be considered a newbie but the sophistication and eloquence of her music and vocals make one believe she is far more experienced. ‘Serotonin’ has your skin tingling with a haunting voice matched by the soulful piano; ‘Movie Ticket’ brings another layer to Mary Elle’s songs. Instead of boasting a powerful rush of soulful music, there is a combination of confidence and innocence running through the track.
Recorded and produced with Gregory Darling, ‘Movie Ticket’ is simplistic with a piano-driven tune. Interestingly, while the track leans toward a barebones sound, Elle’s voice is a mish-mash of fragility and strength making the song far more kaleidoscopic. Soft, soothing and flowing, wistfulness lingers in the air as the melody continues. Then again, the whimsical haze has a sliver of haunting clinging to the edges. Even more interesting is how this vulnerability flutters between disconcerting gut-wrenching tragedy and a comfortable hug.
Melodically, ‘Movie Ticket’ is an easy listen but with a swirl of sound rocking through your body and brain; lyrically, its theme carries the confusion. With siren-like sentimentality, Mary Elle explores self-loss and turmoil in ‘Movie Ticket’ yet it glows with hope, freedom and empowerment. In a personal narrative of an unexpected break-up, Elle explains that “the song relates to the narrative and how even though letting that person go was painful, it was needed in order… that she’s the main character of her own story, not someone else’s.”
Find out more about Mary Elle on her Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Spotify.
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