The haunting stabbing piano in the background imbues the new track ‘Angel Face’ from the highly talented producer and songwriter Eilish Gilligan with a certain level of anxiety and tension as Gilligan sings of personal vulnerability in the delicate track. A longtime favourite of ours here at Backseat Mafia, Gilligan continues to release the most evocative and distinctive music that is without peer.
‘Angel Face’ was written during a period of deep grief, as Gilligan explains in her own words:
I wrote Angel Face to process some of the anger, hurt and betrayal I was feeling about something that happened in my music career at the time. It sounds funny to say I felt those things about an event that was purely professional, but such are the relationships you develop in the music industry.
I felt so powerless. I felt completely voiceless. I felt like I couldn’t talk to anyone about what had happened without sounding hysterical or insane. A sense of righteousness made me feel even angrier and watching the industry celebrate people I knew weren’t really all that great on the inside was difficult. I knew these feelings were something other women in my position would be able to relate to. I held onto the relief that writing Angel Face brought me for so long and I really hope it can bring that catharsis to others now.
Gilligan’s vocals are, as always, close and lined with velvet, almost claustrophobic but ultimately ethereal and hypnotic:
‘Angel Face’ is available to download and stream here.
Gilligan has also announced the release date for her debut album ‘Final Girl’ which is, as the title suggests, inspired by her love for all things horror. She says of the central role music plays in her life:
In the end, after a decade in the music industry, the one thing I have always held as the highest truth is that no one is going to care as much about your music as you do. No manager, no industry figurehead — it sounds so corny, but the music will always be there for you and at the end of the day, you are the only one who will be there for the music in turn.
‘Final Girl’ will be released on February 16, 2024 — pre-save here.
Feature Photograph: Katy Roubin
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