Singer guitarist and songwriter Elliot James Reay has released a debut EP All This To Say I Love You.
The swoon-worthy set leans into the 23-year-old UK artist’s loving embrace of 50s and 60s music, infusing his classic rock ’n’ roll with cinematic grandeur, modern flourishes, and a playful self-awareness. With six songs that capture the irrepressible thrill and longing of young love, the EP comes with a romantically themed video for brand new track, ‘Sweetness’.
The release follows the announcement that Reay is playing a run of hotly tipped UK shows in early July, including a London date at Omeara on July 11 — all of which sold out within 24 hours of going on sale.
Elliot James Reay has a genuine, lifelong love for not just the music of the 50s but the entire era and he has the voice, look, and magnetism to seemingly transport his fans back in time. But a close listen to his intoxicating forays into doo-wop and rockabilly reveals decade-hopping flourishes, knowing nods, and the occasional bent melody or distorted peel of guitar that would’ve caused uproar in Billy Fury’s day. Instead — and despite those who told him he’d need to change his sound to succeed — Elliot’s grown a huge fan base via modern means, organically amassing over 5 million followers and hundreds of millions of views across social media platforms.
Reay grew up listening to all kinds of music in the town of Bury, outside of Manchester, but he was drawn to the old stuff from an early age and took it farther than most, thrifting for vintage clothes and busking the town center as a teen. As the crowds grew, so did his confidence, and after earning more than £2,000 in a single day fundraising in the wake of the 2017 Manchester tragedy, Elliot realized the power he had to reach others. He was only 15 years old back then, and ever since he’s been working on bringing his velveteen voice to an expanding audience whose appreciation for his music transcends generations.
Listen here:
