NEAV releases debut EP 'ELEGY' and shares her top 5 female songwriters
Image: Nick Langley
Australian singer-songwriter NEAV (full name Niamh Watson) may only be 18, but already she is proving she has the confidence, the voice and the musicality to make serious inroads into the industry, and into your heart.
Today she releases her debut EP ELEGY, a mesmerising collection of six tracks. Working with a range of top producers and musicians, including Mario Späte (Washington, Montaigne), Jess Dess (King Princess, Brockhampton), Rod McCormack (Paul Kelly, Gina Jeffreys), David Turley (Millie Turner) and Tristan Barton (Greta Stanley), NEAV has created music that crosses over multiple genres, leaning into electronic pop, R&B, alt pop and touches of indie.
“ELEGY has been in the works since the beginning of 2020,” NEAV says. “‘Silence Song’ was the breakthrough track for me as it was the moment when I discovered who "NEAV" was sonically. I had written and released songs in the past but this one felt different. Little did I know it would act as the catalyst for my debut EP.”
‘Silence Song’, Watson’s first single as NEAV, kicks off the EP. Written to “inspire a shift in mindset to allow people to conquer the things that hold them back from living their truth,” the song mixes guitar, piano and drums with an alt-indiepop vibe and moody electronic swoops which give it a claustrophobic feel in line with the anxiety contained in the lyric.
‘Tragic Drama’ is a dialled back electronic pop track which transforms into a glorious chorus with lush melodies and distorted vocals and a growing intensity. Lyrically the song explores breaking free of a toxic relationship: ”It’s funny how much it hurt / It felt like all I ever wanted was crumbled by your twisted words / I played the part, your story changed.”
Second single ‘Talking To The Devil’ is a broody, sparse electronic-indie track which “is about the hardship faced when someone attempts to constrict the growth of love and relationships for jealous means.” It is followed by third single ‘Built The Same’, a glitchy electro track which examines how other people’s behaviour can be unfathomable even though we are all ‘built the same’. “I wanna know / If there’s blood through your veins / And I wanna know / If you feel this pain,” she sings.
New track and latest single ‘To Love’ is probably the most electronic-pop song on the album, while remaining experimental and left of field. A cold, steely beat transitions into sweet, twinkling, plinky synths as NEAV sings about a partner who loves but doesn’t know how to love. It’s arguably the EP’s highlight - a fascinating structure that keeps you enthralled all the way through teamed with beautiful melodies and story you really want to dive into.
ELEGY closes with the single ‘Say Goodbye’. It is a warm pop track with a beautiful vocal performance from NEAV as she sings about growing up, changing and grieving the loss of the person she used to be. “Can’t sleep at night when I know that I’m stunting my growth / If I don’t wake tomorrow / Will I regret today if I don’t say goodbye to myself?” she sings, with the lyrics adding a touch of melancholy to the song. It is a bittersweet way to end the EP - starting anew and accepting change after the heartbreak of the previous songs while also feeling the anxiety of the unknown.
ELEGY is a beautiful collection of music and a remarkably assured debut from NEAV. It is music that really makes you feel and leaves you feeling connected to the story as well as the song. Relatable, emotive, heartfelt, moving and imminently listenable, ELEGY is an EP to have on repeat and marks NEAV as a new talent you should keep a close eye on.
To celebrate the release of ELEGY, NEAV shared exclusively with Women In Pop a listicle of her top 5 female songwriters.
NEAV’s top 5 female songwriters
1. St Vincent
I have been so inspired by St Vincent, otherwise known as Anne Clark, and her creative-genius mind. Her approach to song-writing and production has always been so intriguing to me and I love devouring her albums and bodies of work. She has always been so unique but so cool in her weirdness, just owning who she is as a person and an artist. I remember watching some of her Master Class and I learned so much about her creative process. One thing that stood out to me that I will always take into account when I am writing my own music is the importance of tension and release as a listener. This rule that she sticks to really resonates with me because I think that the element of surprise and enjoyment in music is what makes a good piece of music.
2. Vera Blue
Vera Blue is such a great influence for me as an Australian artist. Because she is so close to home, she almost paves the way literally and mentally for other up and coming Aussie female artists. Her elegance, authenticity in her branding and the way she conducts herself on and off stage is something that I take inspiration from and definitely consider when I’m navigating my artistry and musical professionalism. Something that I love about Vera’s music is the clarity in which her voice is presented in her music. The way she uses her voice as a true instrument is something that I admire and find to be one of her biggest strengths as a musician.
3. Halsey
I’ve always been a big fan of Halsey’s pop music throughout the years but I think what moved her to one of my favourite songwriters and artists was her album If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power. When this album came out I was obsessed with it and had it literally non-stop on repeat for a few months. I find it so inspiring when artists break the mould of what is expected of them to produce or create and Halsey did just that with this album. She wrote, recorded and produced it with the members of Nine Inch Nails who were one of her biggest influences. I find that to be inspiring in itself for artists everywhere who dream of working with their biggest influences.
4. G Flip
G Flip is another awesome female Australian artist that I look up to. Ever since I saw her perform live at Groovin’ the Moo in 2019, I’ve been a big fan of her work and have been motivated by her successes. The fact that she plays drums and sings at the same time is incredibly cool and unique. I love her rhythmic approach to songwriting in the pop world and I think her songs have definitely influenced me in my songs production and rhythmic phrasing. I love her work ethic too! I recently found out she broke her arm so had to learn her whole set one handed!
5. Dora Jar
I only recently discovered the artist Dora Jar but I have been obsessed with her lately! She was supporting Billie Eilish on her world tour and I got to watch her perform live. Although I didn’t know who she was at the time, I was immediately mesmerised by her performance. Not only is she a very entertaining performer, but she also has a gift for writing beautiful lyrics and melodies. I am super inspired by her ability to produce songs that were instantly memorable and her skill of changing strangers into fans in a matter of minutes.
ELEGY is out now via Double Drummer. You can download and stream here.
To keep up with all things NEAV you can follow her on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
