There is a distinct, almost sacred magic to late-night songwriting, often only born in the quiet moments when the rest of the world seems to stop spinning, leaving behind only an acoustic guitar and a blank page. On her latest project When The World Goes Quiet, emerging Brighton-based singer-songwriter and session musician Nellie Feldmann captures that precise quality and sound with remarkable clarity.
By Jane Howkins
The record was apparently written during those quiet hours when Nellie’s overthinking was at its loudest, with the six songs on this EP transforming her personal anxieties and internal doubts into a warm beacon of resilience and connection. All in all, When The World Goes Quiet is an intimate understated effort that proves that sometimes the quietest voices can speak the loudest when they’re given the chance to sing. Let’s dive in…
We begin with Giving It All, which starts out with a simple yet effective clean guitar melody. Nellie’s vocals soon appear, adding a soulful vibe that lays down the emotional foundation of what’s to come later on in the record. The vocal delivery is tender and vulnerable, inviting you into Nellie’s world immediately. Turn Down My Shine has more of a poppy, r&b quality to it, seeing the lyrics tackle the concept of dimming one’s own light to accommodate others. The music slowly builds up into something a little more rock and roll on the chorus, turning the tune into an empowering anthem for all.
Intrusive Thoughts acts as the thematic centrepiece of When The World Goes Quiet, relaying the main concept of the EP brilliantly by confronting the issue of late-night spirals head on. The arrangement remains fairly grounded throughout though, allowing Nellie’s vocals to truly shine through, turning what could be an overwhelming topic into an oddly comforting piece of contemporary storytelling. The bridge is pretty unique too and I loved the vocal effects used here. The focus is shifted slightly outwards on No One Quite Like You, which is a little warmer than the previous numbers. The main acoustic guitar melody is deeply memorable, seeing Nellie turn the track into a catchy bedroom pop tune that shows off a slightly different side to her music.
We then move to Inner Child, one of the most emotive tracks on the EP. It starts out acoustically like the previous tune, with further instrumentation added over time, including a gorgeous string section. There’s something very journal-like about the track, as Nellie bares her soul deep on the page. The record closes with Time Slips Away, which makes for a reflective finish that works extremely well at conveying the sense of quiet contemplation Nellie seeks to deliver here. The piano takes over from the guitarwork on this beautiful tune, leaving behind a sense of peaceful acceptance that brings the entire EP full circle.
When The World Goes Quiet is a brilliant record, clearly showing that Nellie Feldmann has created something genuinely comforting within these late night musings. By refusing to hide behind flashy production tricks (the production still sounds great, don’t worry), she instead leans into the raw, unfiltered quiet of her own thoughts, rewarding repeated listening. If you’re the sort of person who tends to worry about the things you can’t change, the six tracks on this EP could be well worth your time. It’s a compelling record, but one that manages to combine both style and substance in one amazing musical package.
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