In her new folk-Americana single, “Bluebirds and Rye,” singer-songwriter Kate Ellis creates a private retreat from the hardships that accompany everyday life, and she wants to invite you to join her. Her world is not a musical utopia in which a song simply neutralizes every problem, but with a little imagination and appreciation of small comforts, rest and healing can be found.
With a deeply expressive and indulgently caramel voice, Ellis addresses a young girl, gently warning her of the trials of adulthood and assuring her that she might find refuge amidst the rising tides. Recognizing herself in the girl, her words become self-reflexive; Ellis is also speaking to the girl who she once was, and who is still very much inside her. Strength is not only the stamina to withstand the tumult of daily life, but also the ability to find peace, even if you have to imagine it.
Beginning with the musings of the fiddle and mandolin, “Bluebirds and Rye” is a soulful and touching waltz, full of impactful harmonies and Ellis’s compelling vocals. Her bittersweet lyrics are perfectly reflected in music, a sound that flows so elegantly that you cannot help but be carried along.
No matter how old you are, it is important to remember that the process of growing up never fully stops. It is something we have to do every day, and that is part of what makes it so difficult. But a song like “Bluebirds and Rye” just might make it a little bit easier.
“Bluebirds and Rye” is available on all major streaming platforms.
Written by Jacob Jahiel
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