“In the beginning, God (Elohim) created the heavens and the Earth” (Genesis 1:1). I guess there’s no more powerful or supreme name then Elohim, otherwise the Hebrew word for God; sharing the name with L.A. based pop artist who for the past year has hidden herself in the shadows releasing synth pop indie tracks. Her name, her face, and her personal information are kept hidden from the public eye, much like artist Sia, but now her incredible self titled album is going to put her in the spotlight and demand your attention. This singer/producer has made waves with a spine-tingling synthpop debut, that’s created a wonderland of passion and emotion for her listeners.
Elohim has had a dedication to music for the majority of her life, starting to play piano at the age of five on a beaten up piano her parents bought her for $100. Learning to play classical piano at a young age she felt constricted by one instrument, because she was so inspired by unique and obscure sounds. Elohim had a passion for producing in the beginning and has paved the way for the start of a strong music career. She emerged out of nowhere on the debut track “Xanax” with a topic fitting to the majority of people now days; anxiety. Delivering a song that is both personal to herself and her listeners makes her a valuable writer, especially in an industry that seems to be created around manufacturing a hit rather then conveying a message. In an interview with thelineofbestfit.com she spoke about the single saying “”Xanax” is very special to me. It’s extremely personal. I wrote it in a few hours. My amazing collaborator Danny Parra and I recorded and produced it within those same few hours. It was a Sunday. The lyrics and melody poured out of me. The main synth/keyboard part glided off my fingers. I didn’t have to think. Writing can be so spiritual, so healing, and otherworldly. This was one of those moments. I am forever grateful to be able to share “Xanax” with other people out there that are battling those same feelings”.
What makes her debut so intelligently crafted is, Elohim offers a mix of lyrics about personal and emotional struggles with life and relationships. Not only do we see elements of basic pop production, but we’re also offered her own little twists on the genre. This combination has seen her go from a SoundCloud favorite to a coveted slot at her first Coachella in just two years. Staying relatively anonymous in the music industry gives her the opportunity to be an open book through her music, and in an interview with thefader.com she spoke about being honest in her music; “It is important to me to be as candid and honest as possible. Most people close to me know I am an open book and will talk about anything and everything no matter how personal. I have not spoken publicly about this yet, but I recently started an SSRI medication. When I hit rock bottom with panic disorder, depression, and anxiety I knew i needed to get help. After I started therapy and began to share my own experiences, it became clear something was very off. Initially, I was beyond scared to get help, and the thought of starting a medication… “Me? that is crazy i don’t need that.” It turns out that right now I do, and that decision has completely changed my life in the best possible way. I find myself enjoying life, smiling, laughing, and being able to face life logically. I am totally and completely energized and feel like myself (opposed to a drug like Xanax that only numbed the pain). In all honesty there wasn’t really anyone that spoke openly about this that i knew of, which is a big reason why I wanted to share my story. It took a lot of courage and support to be my best self and I want to share that hope with others. The messages i have received have moved me to tears. I am very grateful to be able to be there for others that are struggling. My mission is to share my love and experiences so others feel less alone, helpless, and scared like I once did.”
Elohim’s 15 track debut album contains the pre-release singles including “Hallucinating,” “The Wave,” “Fuck Your Money (FYM),” and “Panic Attacks,” a collaborative track with Yoshi Flower. The fine-tuned dark-pop sound of “F*ck Your Money” is not only liberating but catchy, as Elohim’s sings “I got love, f*ck your money”. It’s chorus is a technicolour world of pop synths, and it’s verses tell the story of Elohim’s grasp on the importance of love and how it should be the main focus in life. Noisey called it “a dose of positivity in a chaotic world”. “Panic Attacks” features Yoshi Flower and is probably the most personal song on the album I thought, as it details her battle with the ever crippling anxiety. In the music video for the single we see basically a breakdown as Elohim and Yoshi break mirrors and bleed out in one world, and completely destroy perfection.
The most uplifting song on the record would have to be “Half Love”, it’s a energetic pop track with its massive hook, captivating chorus and dance sax section. “’Half Love’ is about the quest for universal unconditional love. Everyone has felt the emptiness when love is given but not reciprocated.” Elohim told Zane Lowe on his Beats1 Radio show. My stand out song on the album would have to be the Diplo inspired sound of “Sleepy Eyes” which see’s her team up with Whetan. This tropical instrumental track is one of her few songs that tackles the romance aspect, written well enough to invoke passion.
From start to finish this album is a ride of emotional experience as you both grow, and learn from Elohim’s experiences. If this album teaches you anything, it’ll be that were all human and we all face the same issues. It’s a perfect example that honest songwriting still exists. Elohim’s self titled debut album is available to stream on Spotify now.
