Grace Sanders, with her stunning electro-pop, has been making a huge impact over the last 6 months leading up to the highly-anticipated release of her debut EP ‘GUMS’, out February 26.
Over that time Sanders has showcased a wide variety of sounds and styles, all of which are tied together seamlessly in this EP. Sliding through a unique blend of psych/ electro with layers hazy psychedelic guitars and synths, to gritty, blood-bubbling electro-pop, soul, R&B and trip-hop, ‘GUMS’ unveils Sanders songwriting prowess and fiery confidence. Sanders speaks on the diversity in sound on the EP:
“Ezekiel Padmanabham [producer] and I approach each song as its own thing, stripping back all the elements and allowing inspiration to flow for whatever the emotionality of the song is calling for to make it come to life in its own unique way.”
From grieving the loss of a friend, navigating toxic relationships to reflecting on how to apply boundaries in mental health conversations, Sanders has packed some truly tender emotions into this EP, hence the title ‘GUMS’ – raw, young, and figuring out how to work through the challenges in life.
Opening the EP is ‘MISSED CALLS’ – a collection of real voicemails left on Grace’s phone following a period in which she describes herself as “ghosting” the people closest to her. These layer on top of each other, creating a frenzied swirl to elicit the feeling of an anxiety attack. This frantic opening is to represent the emotional starting point on the EP that is about being anxious, overwhelmed, isolated and depressed.
The psych-electro-pop track ‘GREEN’ follows, which was the first taste of the EP back in August last year. Dripping with sass, Sanders belts out her enchanting melodies that are entwined with her radical, carefree attitude all while getting wrapped up in a cosmos of dirty synths and psychedelic guitars.
‘CALLING MY MOTHER’ has Sanders pouring out her heart in an upbeat soul/ pop/ R&B number featuring a verse from Perth-based hip hop artist, Adrian Dzvuke. The upbeat groove on the drums, clean soul/ jazz guitar tones and funky synths create a feel-good energy that deliberately contrasts with lyrics exploring the waves of different emotions Sanders experienced in the grieving process for a lost friend and collaborator.
Breaking up the EP is the interlude titled ‘SOMETIMES’, a grainy, distorted interview setting up the tone for the second half of the EP that leans heavily on an electro/ R&B sound palette.
‘SANITY’ meditates on learning how to set boundaries with loved ones in conversations around mental health. Sanders lets out her cool R&B lyrical flows as spacious synth and rumbling saw-tooth bass lines swell in over a developing drumbeat ultimately building towards a dreamy and enchanting close.
Closing the EP out is the blood-bubbling electro track, ‘NO FAIR’ which was released in October last yearfollowed by the recently released slow-burning, metamorphosing number ‘DISSIPATE’.
Sanders previous releases have seen support from Cool Accidents, NME, Triple J, Double J, Triple J Unearthed rotation and artist spotlight, theMusic, Acidstag, Pilerats, AU Review, RTR FM Sound Selection and more.
Sanders debut EP ‘GUMS’ is out worldwide now.
Follow Grace Sanders
Spotify | Apple Music | Bandcamp | Soundcloud
Facebook | Insta: @graceisanders | Youtube
