Elle Exxe- Before I Break | Single Review

Words by Craig Carrington-Porter

Before I Break my front door down and ramshackle all the coffee shops on the south side of Glasgow- all for a decent cafe bean to make a flat white with- lets talk about the new bi-monthly release from yours truly, Elle Exxe.

Some of you may remember the track Rose Gold that we reviewed in February, a track that had 80’s electro-clash vibes to it.

Before I Break still retains that electro vibe. However, its value has a different currency from its previous release in that it has a more modern polish and gleam to it.

It begins with tuned vocals, specifically tuned to create that robo-romance (think I just made a new word/term) edge. Immediately I linked the track to Bon Iver’s, 22 (OVER SooN) but Exxe adds more density to her song. In that, there is more to it and an actual structure. I really do appreciate the fact that this song actually goes somewhere and doesn’t ride out on that opening vocal melody. And that pre-chorus; “and if you could be, somebody else just for today…” Is where the track begins to pick up and brings out its intentions, of making us aware of our responsibility towards self care and mental health.

The April release is linked with Stress Awareness month which is almost too fitting with the state of the current climate. Having said that, Exxe has decided to donate all profits to mental health charities Rethink and Shout.

Rethink support those with mental health problems (1 in 4 of us will be affected in our lifetime).

Shout provide a crisis text line- available to those in the UK via the number: 85258

Listen to the song, try and forge the lyrics into your thought process and realise that this whole song is written surrounding mental health. A challenging topic at any point in time but is more real than ever as we all stay inside. However, stay positive! As someone who lives alone I can only tell you that I appreciate any and all contact with anyone. And the thought of some day being able to sit with a pint, coffee, a meal with my friends/family keeps me sane.

The stripping back of instrumentation keeps the song raw and pushes you to focus on the lyrics. The track is a brutal example of honesty, of looking at the damage that chasing your dreams can spur. What tips it off nicely is, is that it ISN'T a depressingly, angsty song- it still retains the rules of being a somewhat upbeat pop song.

Of the track itself Exxe adds;

“I wrote ‘Before I Break’ during a really complicated time for me

mentally and physically. I thought ‘keep calm and carry on’ was the best

way to handle things, but this time the stress hit me physically and was

temporarily debilitating and scary.”

The track is available now so go stream it and as always Spotify is best ;)

Much love, stay safe and wash your hands! x