#dragon mentality

Rising singer and songwriter Elley Duhé is in the middle of an explosive year, and she shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. From lending her effervescent vocals to Zedd’s hit single “Happy Now” to releasing her acclaimed debut EP DRAGON MENTALITY, the past year has seen the emergence of a prominent new voice in the world of pop. We originally praised DRAGON MENTALITY for serving as an impressive demonstration of Duhé’s diversity as a solo artist, and it’s hard to think of her crafting a better debut. Well, turns out she thankfully proved us wrong.

“SAVIOR” serves as a bonus track to the previously released DRAGON MENTALITY, as well as yet another stirring showcasing of Duhé’s massive amount of early promise. Produced by Grammy Award–winning producer Rahki, Duhé pens a powerful ode to loving, helping, and inevitably saving one another. There is an overarching sense of buoyancy and hope that pervades “SAVIOR,” as Duhé makes allusions to immortality and togetherness over an array of electronic-tinged production. It’s difficult to not feel a certain call-to-action to protect what you cherish most, as Duhé’s impassioned vocals burst forth to create a track that feels like so much more than a bonus track. Duhé shared the following on “SAVIOR,”

“‘Savior’ means rule 1: Family first. Pure love = Family. Always protect and cherish the family that loves you unconditionally.”

In many ways, “SAVIOR” is the exact sort of pop anthem we need right now. Duhé imbued SAVIOR”  with an undying optimism that finds power in the act of helping one another, and crystallizes that sentiment in an infectious bout of production and lyricism.

Listen to “SAVIOR” below:

Elley Duhé Explores Love And Immortality In “Savior”

Alabama songstress Elley Duhé has experienced immense success with her songs “immortal,” and “Happy Now.” She has described her style as not being “one song of the same ingredient.” Her raspy, soulful vocals against the pop and EDM infused track from her EP serve for an electric combination that has garnered her a loyal and consistent fan base.

In her single Savior, Duhe speaks of being beside…

Elley Duhé - FEVER

Elley Duhé is self described as not having “one song of the same ingredient,” and that is apparent in her debut EP, DRAGON MENTALITY. The 6-track project is an eclectic blend of styles, all tied together with Duhé’s uniquely soulful voice. The singer released her first single, “immortal” in 2017, and found major success with her song “Happy Now,” currently sitting at over 25 million streams on Spotify. Hailing from an island off the coast of Alabama, she has the kind of sultry rasp in her voice that pairs perfectly with pop and EDM tracks, but has chosen to take her artistry in a slightly more eclectic direction with DRAGON MENTALITY.

The EP begins with “LOST MY MIND,” which features light, bubbling synths and pulsing chords. The melody on the chorus sounds like something Sia would write, and Duhé’s voice cuts right through the track to the forefront of the mix. The next song is “FEVER” and takes an unexpected turn with heavy Bollywood influence. Percussion drives the track with anticipated rhythms, propelling it forward through Duhé’s relaxed verse vocals. Unexpected adlib notes add to the mystery, making the song sound like the soundtrack to a fever dream.

“WAY DOWN LOW” comes next, which is lyrically motivational and speaks to someone who has hit rock bottom. This song is delightfully surprising, as the title draws the mind to a song to a dance track about getting low at a club. Duhé instead sings of hope and fighting for the people who need it most. 

“COUNTERFEIT” brings a change in tone, and begins with theatrical scaling vocals. The unmanicured sound to Duhé’s voice adds heat to the track, especially on the line “Gods only cry when caught in a lie.” The outro is a spectacle for the ears, featuring instrumentals that belong in an opera house.

The next track, “$$$$,” brings a whole new energy to the table. Think Fiddler on the Roof meets modern pop culture. Unique sounds are sprinkled throughout, including gunshots and riffs from a lone violin. The percussion sounds DIY, as if kitchen pots and pans and chains were used to create the track. Duhé’s voice carries an inventive melody that brings all the elements of the song together. 

The final track is titled “STARZ,” and it’s potentially the best song in the project. The chords go between major and minor, adding depth and giving an overall multidimensional feel. “STARZ” is a gorgeously emotional song, and has a melody that unearths feelings buried deep inside. Duhé belts the lyrics,

“The stars don’t the same as they did, I’ll tear them all down from the black ceiling.”