Elvira Alfaro is a Swedish singer songwriter who has featured a few times on this blog this year. Jane first discovered her for us in January through her track Antarctica, and subsequently shared two more of hers – INDIGO and Season 8. Both of those tracks feature on her debut EP, in love with a feeling.
By Graeme Smith
In love with a feeling is a meditation on the subject of love in the 21st century, challenging cultural norms and asking the listener to reflect on their own experiences. The journey starts with intro track comparison. Opening subtle and ambient, a delicate piano refrain comes in. It’s romantic but tinged with a darkness, particularly in the lyrics, perfectly setting the scene for what’s to come.
Vending machine ups the tempo ever so slightly giving gentle, dreamy indie pop. Elvira’s vocals stay front and centre, delivering a heartfelt story railing against throwaway relationships. Title track in love with a feeling is a melancholic highlight. Its visceral and intimate lyrics pair well with its expansive and cinematic instrumentals.
Season 8 sits at the heart of the EP providing a punchy, wistful electronic wonder. Just like that, by contrast, is stripped-back and acoustic. There’s power in its minimalism and there’s plenty of space for its storytelling lyrics. It’s another soul-rendering highlight.
Tobeaperson shimmers with a pensive lightness, meditating on holding onto the wrong things and navigating a way forward. It explodes into a wonderfully cathartic finish. INDIGO closes the EP with cautious optimism. The lyrics are wonderfully descriptive and brought to life through acoustic guitar and textures of electronica before we get some full on rock in the chorus.
In love with a feeling is such a beautiful creation and Elvira Alfaro is an exciting prospect in the world of alternative pop. She has recently performed at her first major festival, Utopia festivalen in Stavenger, Norway and based on the evidence we’ve heard so far there’s going to be a lot more to come from her. In love with a feeling is a must listen for fans of Phoebe Bridgers, Lana Del Rey and Julien Baker. You can check out below.