Album Review - Holly Elle "Leopardess"

You better believe that I am going to be all over this EP. The lead single "Predator" made it's online debut right here on Taking Over The Universe, and it made a big splash. Holly has switched it up, and is moving forward with her music. "Leopardess" is a testament to her growth, and she is taking no prisoners.

The opening single "Predator" was a definite statement to those who had been following her up til now. She sounded more raw, with fierce lyrics to accompany it. She howls and roars her way onto the scene, making for the perfect opening track. I once had fears that she was following too closely to the likes of Ke$ha, but this single really settled those uncertainties once and for all. The names may be similar, but the content is far different. She isn't a drunk party girl (which is not a bad thing, I'm a Ke$ha fan, here) -- she is a bad bitch.

Signature to a Holly release, she isn't going to stick to one note for the rest of the work. "Seeing Red" is one of the best songs on the album, and this song slows things down without flowing over into the ballad area. The song about an over jealous boyfriend is layered on top of a very electronic and dark sounding track. This song sounds like it was produced by Simon Curtis, the best of the best when it comes to dark-toned pop. This new edgy side of Holly is everything I want from her in the future.

Though the first two songs may have a sharp edge to them, the third song on the EP lightens thing back up, taking us back to the feel of the previous release. "You Deserve A Song" is about a relationship that wasn't bad. Instead of writing about bad exes or failed relationships, she writes about finding the perfect guy. She feels the need to let him know he's done nothing wrong. This take on writing is so refreshing in a breakup-heavy pop world. The beat doesn't feel very distinctive, but it's the heart and content that bring it to the forefront of the songs she's released before.

Just when you wondered if this EP was gonna have a slow soulful song, "Wanna Be Loved" hits you in the face. This 180 turn brings everything to a halt, allowing for her to show the vocal skills she really has without all the shiny synths and guitars. Much like "Don't Come Home", this song feels so raw and real, making me fall harder into the Elle fandom than I had before. "Who I Am", the last song on the work, is another slower feeling song, but without as strong a punch as it's predecessor. The song is a statement that she isn't going to change for anyone, and if her needs aren't met, she is done. The song doesn't feel false, but it doesn't pack the same emotional punch as "Wanna Be Loved".

This release is a huge step in the right direction. Both production and songwriting wise, "Leopardess" is on another level than "Infinitude." It shows the collection of emotions, history, and voices that make up exactly who Holly Elle is. She can be dark sometimes, and she can let rip a few curse words along the way. The point is she isn't perfect, and this album shows her flaws and scars like trophies, turning them into works of art. Life is about ups and downs, and this EP captures that perfectly.

The album is up for preview and purchase on iTunes.