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· Conor Welsch
There is a quiet power in hearing an artist arrive fully formed. Blizzard feels like that moment. Dove Ellis steps forward with a debut that is intimate, emotionally direct, and confident without being loud. The record moves gently, but it carries weight, balancing vulnerability with restraint and letting feeling lead every decision.
Blizzard unfolds across ten tracks that feel carefully placed rather than stacked. The album opens with Little Left Hope, a soft introduction that sets the emotional temperature. From there, Ellis builds a world that shifts between sparse acoustic moments and fuller arrangements that introduce piano, strings, and subtle rhythmic movement.
Songs like Love Is and When You Tie Your Hair Up sit at the center of the record, pairing poetic lyricism with melodies that linger. Jaundice and Heaven Has No Wings show a willingness to experiment, bringing in unexpected textures without losing the album’s sense of intimacy. The closer, Away You Stride, lands quietly, allowing the record to resolve without forcing a conclusion.
The pacing is deliberate. Nothing rushes. Nothing overstays. Each track adds another layer to the emotional arc.
Ellis’s voice is the anchor of Blizzard. It carries a fragile strength, capable of moving from near whisper to emotional release without losing control. There is a sense of trust in the delivery, as if the songs are being shared rather than performed.
His songwriting feels personal but never insular. The lyrics explore love, uncertainty, and self reflection with clarity, avoiding excess or dramatics. The arrangements support this approach, staying open and spacious so the emotion can breathe.
There are subtle nods to traditional Irish musical sensibilities in phrasing and rhythm, but they are woven naturally into a modern indie framework rather than placed on display.
Little Left Hope works beautifully as an opener, easing the listener into the album’s emotional space.
Love Is stands out for its melody and honest lyricism.
To The Sandals rewards close listening with its narrative flow and gentle shifts.
Away You Stride closes the album with calm resolution that lingers after the final note.
This is an album that would shine on vinyl. The quiet moments feel intentional, and the layered arrangements would open up naturally on a turntable.
Blizzard is a debut built on trust. Trust in space, in simplicity, and in the power of a voice carrying something real. Dove Ellis avoids spectacle in favor of sincerity, and the result is a record that feels deeply human.
It is an album that invites repeat listens, not to uncover hidden tricks, but to sit with its feeling again and again.
Dove Ellis feels like an artist with a long road ahead of him, in the best way. Blizzard sets a strong foundation, showing emotional intelligence, restraint, and a clear sense of identity. If he continues to grow without losing this intimacy, he could become one of the most compelling voices in modern indie songwriting.
This feels like the start of something that will last.
Best Spins: Little Left Hope, Love Is, To The Sandals
For Fans Of: Jeff Buckley, Thom Yorke, Rufus Wainwright, Black Country New Road
If You’re Into This, Try:
Heavy Metal by Cameron Winter
Cold Spring Fault Less Youth by Moses Sumney
Blue Rev by Alvvays
Love Is Hell by City and Colour
Passionfruit by Joesef