Many are used to considering stability as something natural, something that does not succumb to changes, but this is a misconception. Every moment, every action leads to a chain of unconscious changes, which in turn shape reality. Transformation is the key to understanding these changes, that invisible flow that permeates all spheres of life. It is not limited to one area but encompasses everything. Transformations in one sphere inevitably affect others, creating a new order, new rules of the game. It is through transformation that Elly Kace, a baroque pop indie artist, world-renowned opera singer, and sound healer from Brooklyn, radically transformed the stability of her life. Her path was not predictable, and when the world found itself trapped in a pandemic, she freed herself from the shackles of traditional opera, deciding to venture into the unknown and begin creating music that would speak to her soul, rather than the rules she had followed until then.
Photo by @ellykacemusic
The transformation began with a simple, and at the same time powerful, step: she started experimenting with new technologies. Electronic synthesizers, drum machines, and even sounds created for healing became her instruments. Those who knew her as a strictly disciplined performer were surprised by her transition into a world where precision gave way to sincerity. Elly no longer strived for flawless sound, she strived for truth, even if that truth was painful. In her new EP “if i ask enough could you love me,” Kace raises the bar of sincerity, revealing the disappointments and inner conflicts of a musician with a classical education. Her musical style absorbed elements of romanticism and impressionism, creating a blend of emotions, sound images, and subtle expressiveness.
The EP opens with “prelude (i did my best),” a song that expresses her fear of being abandoned. In it, Elly shares something intimate: through excessive effort, she lost the ability to believe in her own sufficiency – even beyond music. Despite the external softness, the track is filled with energy, emphasized by the carefully constructed production. Kace’s voice sounds penetrating, repeating a simple mantra: “I did my best.” In a world where it’s easier to hide behind a wall of technical mastery, Elly Kace allowed herself to be vulnerable, finding inspiration and beauty in creating songs and music.
I was particularly struck by the song “if i ask,” dedicated to a group of teenage girls taking selfies by the lake. The melodies, reminiscent of the babbling of a forest stream, develop into an emotional climax, where Kace sings poignant lines: “One foot in the lake / taking pictures of her hair / til she finds something beautiful.” The instrumental sections of violins, brass, synthesizers, and sound effects paint a clear picture of the narrative.
However, the experimental song “enough” unfolds like a dramatic musical film, beginning with a tense, anxious cluster of sounds. The first wave is a multilayered vocal, intertwining with the resonance of Jack Broza’s guitars. Gradually, the chaos dissolves, giving way to the soft sounds of angelic synthesizers and the cozy whisper of the piano. They are complemented by a rich palette: the expressive strings of Darian Donovan Thomas and Isaac Levien, the impressive guitar of Jack Broza, the wild, sorrow-drenched trumpet of Allison Philips, as well as the shimmering cymbals and majestic drums of Aaron Edgcomb. All these elements intertwine into a flow that sounds like a healing soundtrack.
Photo by @ellykacemusic
Thus, in the song “could you love me,” framed by the sounds of the ’60s, the melodies float and sway. Elly’s voice, enriched with multilayered harmonies, is accompanied by arpeggiated synthesizers, a shimmering vibraphone, and delicate percussion. In her vibrations, there is a sense of nostalgia. And in this search, not only for beauty but for self-understanding, Elly discovered what truly matters: one does not need to be perfect to be true.
In the concluding track “i wish you were different,” the uniqueness of the performer and her creative approach are revealed. It combines unusual instruments: marimba, strings with effects, and synthesizers that create an atmosphere.
Elly Kace’s departure from the strict confines of classical opera to free experimentation with vocals and instruments in the EP “if i ask enough could you love me” is a liberation and creative transformation. It is deeply personal, stemming from the very essence of the performer. The question posed in the title of the EP, “if i ask enough could you love me” transitions from a rhetorical inquiry into a reflection by Kace on her desire for recognition and acceptance. She seeks answers to complex questions about her roles in society and her perceptions of the world around her.
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