Tom Ellis's new single, "Those Days," sounds like he's cruising down Laurel Canyon in 1973 with a notebook of poetry and a head full of harmony.
"Those Days," out January 20, 2025, is the first taste of Ellis' upcoming Winter 2025 EP. From this lead track, it already looks as though listeners are in for a solidly heartfelt, harmony-drenched journey for the best of classic songwriting has to offer.
"Those Days" envelops you like a welcoming, and endlessly repeatable. There's a golden glow here, an honest affection for the excellent song smithery of groups like The Beatles, 10cc, and Dire Straits, but Ellis isn't a mimic. Instead, he stitches together those influences with a modern indie sincerity, making the song timeless and fresh.
Thoughtfully produced by post-punk stalwart Phil Calvert, the song is a treasure chest. It is well harmonized, and the drum hit falls with the appropriate weight.
Ellis' vocals are a highlight, too. Sleek and melodic with a dash of McCartney sparkle, they survey verses that ruminate on the hazy memories we all have of youth and change and the ache of what's passed. It's high-fidelity storytelling encased in the sort of textured production that encourages headphone deep-dives as well as car stereo singalongs. With "Those Days," Tom Ellis revives, showing that great songwriting never loses relevance.