Ellise has never been one to steer clear of the darker parameters of love and loss, and her new single, “valentine,” is a stark reminder of what makes her one of alternative pop’s most evocative storytellers. Instead of doubling down on the saccharine sentiment with which the holiday can often be padded, Ellise flips the script and makes the most of its bling, spinning a viciously intimate and gut-wrenching tale of love, betrayal and emotional debris.
With its beguiling mix of gauzy acoustic strings and theatrical, near-Broadway storytelling, “Valentine” plays like a confessional letter in the aftermath of heartbreak. “Valentine” protagonist, our narrator, is asking her questions not of the unfaithful lover but of “the other,” looking for answers, clarity, or maybe just some catharsis. As each verse builds delicately, a profoundly profound bassline anchors the gravity of the revelation, hitting harder than each lyric that follows.
Ellise’s trademark polished-spooky vibe is in the building, making a tale of lies look like a cinematic experience you won’t forget anytime soon. Her delivery contains an eerie beauty that is haunting, even after the last note has dissolved, leaving the listener in a limbo of sadness and satisfaction.
With “Valentine,” Ellise proves again that she’s a magician of emotional excavation, willing to tear open love’s wounds and show the specter of what’s left in their wake. It’s not your traditional Valentine’s Day anthem. It’s a cautionary tale, a melancholic masterpiece, and a keystone to Ellise’s genius as a writer and storyteller.