Ellen Beth Abdi’s debut album arrives with ‘Who This World Is Made For’
Sultry modern soul meets scratchy, trippy urbanism on the latest track to be pulled from shining Manchester newcomer, Ellen Beth Abdi’s debut, self-titled album, released today on Sweet Twenty-Three Records. By putting the long-player’s opening track, Who This World Is Made For. to the fore. the reputed collaborationist introduces her long-awaited, solo collection by going back in time to a relatable period of uncertainty, paranoia and disillusion.
Dancing with words over a drum sample that recalls the highest point of Massive Attack’sestimable back-catalogue, whilst mixing in heaps of the warm, soulful, organic sounds that only the most committed of artists can bring, Who This World Is Made For. stems from lockdown anxieties. As much a time of change as stasis, Beth Abdi found a recurring keyboard line attached itself to the Groundhog Day sense of real-world repetition, while sudden, adverse reactions to the things she once enjoyed deepened the voids being revealed.
Drawn from a time and place of reckoning with personal privilege, whilst feeling completely helpless, Abdi says of the song: “Who This World Is Made For. was written in one of the many lockdowns and it kind of fell out of me. I was spending a lot of time on my own and the melody and words for the chorus just popped into my head when I woke up one day, the words spinning and spinning around.
“The keyboard part is simple but really hypnotic, a spiral of layers, moulding into the next part every time. I think that reflects the lyrics too. The repetition, the mundane, thinking about futility and feeling disillusioned.”
As her ten-track album is released on vinyl, CD and digital formats, focus on Who This World Is Made For. an effortless sounding, yet clearly an impeccably considered and constructed blend of electronica, bedroom pop and contemporary R’n’B, stands as a beacon for what lies in store across a further six, previously unreleased tracks.
Restlessly hopping between other people’s projects, notably albums with A Certain Ratio and UK jazz mainstay, Jamie Finlay, as well as enjoying stage time with some of her home city’s leading lights, not least New Order and Stone Roses, the February release of Tenterhooks alerted Beth Abdi’s peers and admirers to the impending album’s release. Following up with the gliding introspection Sad Chord and a subtly, stunning and inventive, vocal samples-only cover of the Rae & Christian classic, Spellbound, those peers’ expectations of a debut of deep intelligence and fearless, roving artistry were already met.
As well as enjoying standout stage appearances with the legends and leading lights of her home city, touring extensively with A Certain Ratio, both as a band member and captivating opening act, Beth Abdi has also shared stages with Lady Blackbird, Courtney Pine and Angelique Kidjo.
Having waited so long for the release of her debut album, listeners are also able to experience more of the prolifically performing Beth Abdi’s songs in person following the release. She commits to the following, imminent live dates, with more to follow:
- Tue 27 May – Manchester, Night and Day w/Piccadilly Records
- Thu 29 May – Edinburgh, Voodoo Rooms
Remaining tickets can be found by following links hosted at https://www.ellenbethabdi.co.uk/
For album orders and upcoming announcements on live dates listeners are urged to connect with Ellen Beth Abdi online at:
https://www.facebook.com/EllenBethAbdi
https://www.instagram.com/ellenbethabdi
https://x.com/ellenbethabdi
https://www.tiktok.com/@ellenbethabdi