LISTEN: Elise Eriksen Yearns For Closeness In Debut Single “Less”
LISTEN: Elise Eriksen Yearns For Closeness In Debut Single “Less”
The track is the perfectly relatable quarantine listen
Words By: Jason Russo
Elise Eriksen, a fresh-face on the pop scene, has released her debut single “Less” featuring Shoffy. Co-written with mega-star Julia Michaels, the track also features renowned bassist, Blu DeTiger. “Less” is all about growing apart in romantic relationships, and it is an exquisite listen with funky basslines and rich production.
“Cause I want less space between us/Less room between our skin and the bed/Less ways to keep us/From drifting apart the way that we did” — capturing the main themes of the song, Elise yearns to bridge the gap she sees forming in her relationship. Fearing the distance, she craves nothing more than to be closer to her partner. Right as she reaches the point of desperation, Shoffy glides in to reassure Elise that he feels it too and wants exactly what she does. The pair duet perfectly, with their unique vocals match up just as well.
While the lyrics of the song are earnest and worried, the instrumentation is anything but that. Bubbly and glittery bass notes bounce along with twinkling synths that combine to create a unique 70s inspired pop sound. Fans of Doja Cat, Tinashe, and Kali Uchis will instantly fall in love with Elise’s sound. “I’m so excited that this song is going to be out in the world! It’s a catchy, soulful record that I love for its upbeat vibe and heartfelt lyrics. I had so much fun making this song my own,” Elise says of that track.
“Less” was originally written by Julia Michaels and produced by Elise’s father, Mikkel Eriksen, who is one half of the Grammy winning production duo Stargate — who are most known for their work with Rihanna, Katy Perry, Coldplay, and Jay-Z. When Elise first heard the song, she immediately gravitated towards its jazz-pop sound, and she knew she had to rework the song as her own. “It’s such a perfectly crafted song, and I love how there’s this new meaning to it now everyday life has been so drastically altered. I think everyone can relate to feeling isolated, and just wanting to connect and be together again,” Elise says on hearing the track for the first time. With Julia Michael’s blessing, she took the track and gave it her own spin before its release.
Elise Eriksen was born in Norway, but she moved to New York City when she was a child and now lives in Los Angeles. She grew up in the studio with her father who worked with some of the biggest stars in music today. She took many years to practice learning the piano and to perfect her voice before launching her career with “Less.” She has her own unique spin on the pop genre, citing Ella Fitzgerald, Alicia Keys, and Stevie Knicks as her eclectic main inspirations for her own brand of feel-good pop music. Her career is just beginning, so be sure to look out for more releases in 2021!
