Etham – Guilty (2023)
Embracing his passion for music at a young age, UK-based singer-songwriter Etham started pounding the drums at age 5. Skip ahead 10 years and he was busking on street corners while uploading covers onto YouTube. Soon Etham was emerging as a rising star bursting onto the scene with well-received EPs and singles. Now, the Reading-based lad has experienced mainstream success performing with Tori Kelly, James Morrison, John Newman, Justin Bieber and Kings of Leon. In fact, celebrity fan Shawn Mendes has mentioned that “…this guy definitely deserves more views”. The latest addition to his critically acclaimed discography is the single ‘Guilty’.
Following his singles ‘I Won’t’ and ‘By My Side’, Etham shifts from his signature piano-driven songs to a mellow guitar in ‘Guilty’. Just as his previous material oozes heartfelt, tender emotions set to a soothing, laidback melody, ‘Guilty’ retains the softer, mellifluous vibe with a guitar instead of a piano leading the way. Leaning toward a soft pop ballad with the finger-picking style and rich vocals, Etham weaves moving folk through this sonic tapestry.
Inspired by a breakup, one might consider there to be a melancholic despair in ‘Guilty’; however, Etham entwines a wistful optimism in the melody. A hopefulness that the breakup experience can be challenging but with a simultaneous positive attitude. In an interview with Echo Online, Etham shares the core of ‘Guilty’:
“Years ago, I went through a breakup, but it didn’t end badly. I’ve also seen a lot of other relationships that ended on good terms and then also ones that ended badly, and I just feel that sometimes no matter how much wrong someone does, I think you are worth more not to let this affect you in such a negative way. I think there’s a huge positive that you get to move on to someone new who actually might be the one rather than getting angry…”
Sincere, tender and warm, ‘Guilty’ has a sophisticated elegance in its delivery. The thing is, just as there is a mature charm to the song, Etham’s vocals drip from the melody with a raw innocence resonating in a soul-stirring way.
For more from Etham, check out his Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
