The Hertfordshire-based Ellie Isherwood knows the value of patience. Since making her debut as BYFYN (pronounced “biffin,” if you were wondering) with 2016 EP Tension & Release, she’s taken time to hone her craft, leading to a marked progression on 2018’s follow-up Almost Rosy and last year’s standalone singles.
EP number 3, In Blue With You, is almost upon us, having been trailed by “Ain’t Gonna Be Lonely” and “I Love Me Too”, and the last preview ahead of its release next week finds Isherwood continuing to carve out her own niche in pop music dripping with atmosphere. “What’s Stopping You?” builds from its quiet beginnings, gradually swelling into a jubilant, fast-paced electro-pop track that’s a fine example of, well, tension and release; a struggle between frustration and eventual breakthrough. It’s communicated through Isherwood repeating the song’s title with increasing intensity, asking that question of the listener as much as herself. She says:
“With this track I really wanted to capture the frustration of feeling like nothing is stopping you from achieving what you want, apart from yourself and your anxiety. If you could just turn it off then nothing could get in your way… but it doesn’t work like that… cue the frustration.”
It’s a highlight from an EP that finds Isherwood taking a close look at her mental health struggles, and its video – co-directed by Stella Kailides – is a suitably exuberant watch, and is premiering on Beats Per Minute today. Tune in below, and keep an eye out for In Blue With You, which follows on Wednesday December 9th.
