Description
Release Date Friday 26th June 2026
All pre-orders will be dispatched/made ready for collection on that day.
joining the label
Melbourne-based vocalist, musician, and songwriter Ella Thompson is an artist whose
name is being championed by some of the best in the business. She's been building a
reputation as one to watch, with two standout releases on Hopestreet Recordings,
Domino EP in 2023 and Ripple On The Wing LP in 2024, alongside a heavy touring
schedule and a stacked list of support slots and collaborations. For this new 7" single,
Ella collaborates with a selection of artists at the forefront of Naarm/ Melbourne's
soulful DIY community. Featuring members of Surprise Chef and Karate Boogaloo,
Liam McGorry from Temporary Blessings (College Of Knowledge) joins Ella as cowriter and co-producer, with go-to Melbourne engineer Henry Jenkins also producing
and recording the track.
Bridging the worlds of classic and contemporary soul, Ella's songwriting is drenched
in emotion and personal experience. With a timeless feel that is hard to tie to any
particular period, she has crafted a sound that instantly hits deep. It's warm, tasteful
and distinctly Ella. That talent has also seen her tour with Mark Ronson, and support
other contemporary greats like Jalen Ngonda, Lee Fields, and Thee Sacred Souls.
'Promise to Keep' is the first taste of Ella's new material on this 7" single. An
irrepressible upbeat groover that echoes mid- to- late- sixties vocal groups. That
influence though never overpowers Ella's own unique creative voice or distinct sense
of self. She draws from it, but the colour is all her own. The song tells a story of being
carried by the current that keeps us moving, giving us courage. A commitment to
oneself that speaks to action shaped by vision, and the pull of following what feels
correct even when the distance is far.
The flip side finds Ella in a different mood. 'Change of Heart' is a heavy sweet-soul
ballad. Rich in drama, Ella's falsetto vocals build to a stunning climax in the final
section, with triumphant horns that signal the release of letting go. The lyrics reflect
on temporality and impermanence, and the way moments can be missed or arrive
with synchronicity. It's that bittersweet paradox of triumph and sadness, where
everything contains its opposite: absence and presence, innocence and experience.
The song is underpinned by a brooding production quality and atmospheric, beatheavy flavour that Surprise Chef and cinematic soul fans will relish. Mixed by Wayne
Gordon (Daptone, Womack Sisters), 'Promise to Keep' and 'Change of Heart' are a
glimpse of things to come from Ella Thompson. Keep an eye open for more new
music incoming from this phenomenal artist at the top of her game.
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