Yorkshire’s own Ellur has been making waves in the indie-pop scene lately. After the release of her 2024 EP, ‘The World Is Not An Oyster’, it was clear she was set to join the list of pop songwriters hailing from the North. Now ahead of her debut album, ‘At Home In My Mind,’ Ellur offers a breezy but emotional new single, ‘Dream Of Mine'.

This latest track tackles the vulnerable 20-something ramblings of a girl who just wants it all. Here, the ‘Dream’ to Ellur and her partner is clearly two different things. Her partner wishes to settle down and have a family, but Ellur doesn’t deem this possible if she wants to pursue her dream of becoming a singer. “We’re talking about the family, all the kids you’d like / but I'm running for the chaos to be seen under the lights.” It doesn't seem like these dreams go hand-in-hand, and whilst Ellur knows this, she isn’t ready to let go just yet. 

The production from Joel Johnston offers a nostalgic feel to the record. This type of ruminative production could be what makes the track feel all the more emotional. And, despite the woeful subject matter, the chord progression and melody add an uplifting tinge to the song. The meticulous production projects an image in our heads, one of great acceptance. The electric guitar adds this deep, bittersweet sense of love lost, aptly prompting images of a scene straight out of a rom-com, with the protagonist in comfortable solitude, dipping their head out the car window whilst the wind blows through their hair. 

This single feels very fitting for an album titled ‘At Home In My Mind.’ It can be interpreted in so many ways, but in the vein of looking at things optimistically, it may be a realisation of Ellur that her dreams are both within her mind, and possible. Her dreams are her ‘home’ and so is her love. Lyrics like, “want you to wanna be here in this dream of mine”, may suggest it’s not just up to her, though. They suggest that her partner also needs to accept that both their dreams can co-exist, if they accept her career will always be a part of it too, "I'll be playing the piano till the end of time.”

It’s a bittersweet song, yet one set to a hopeful backdrop. Music that reminds us to be expectant of good things, despite what troubles us, is always music worth listening to. With her most mature vocals yet it feels like a marker of sheer growth for Ellur, and her exponential success seems inevitable. Her songwriting prowess just confirms that the future of indie-pop is in good hands, and we could find her sitting amongst other artists like Sam Fender and Holly Humberstone in no time. 

Jessica Sansoa 

@jessicasansoa

Image: Sarah Oglesby