E^ST RELEASES QUIRKY POP HIT ‘MAYBE IT’S ME’
Following up her hit “FRESH OUT OF LOVE” - a favourite with triple j and pop tastemakers around the world - E^ST will reveal “MAYBE IT’S ME” tomorrow (Friday 10th April), an unapologetically poppy, beat-driven power ballad that showcases the unwaveringly honest lyricism that E^ST is best known for, and of course her flair for extravagant production.
Produced with her key collaborator, Jim Eliot (Halsey, Ellie Goulding, Kylie Minogue), this release comes at the perfect time for the Australian music industry, providing a much-needed sonic pick-me-up with a touch of E^ST’s signature millennial nihilism.
“This song is about being a hot mess in life, and starting to wonder if maybe life has nothing to do with it and you just kinda suck,” said E^ST.
2020 is set to be a huge year for E^ST, with her debut album “I’M DOING IT” on the way. The album centres around feelings of heartbreak, isolation and failure, and signals a huge leap forward from her EP releases “Old Age” and “Life Ain’t Always Roses”, which drew plaudits from the likes of The Fader and Paper.
“My music’s always been driven by my emotional state,” said Melissa Bester, the force behind E^ST. “It’s the way I express how I’m feeling, but just as often it’s how I find out how I’m feeling.” Either way, she says, it ends up being raw; “As raw as I can possibly make it.”
Historically, E^ST has used music to explore her passion for fantasy, poetry and storytelling... Now it is time for a new chapter, with debut album “I’M DOING IT”.
“The first half of the album is all about being a heartbroken mess as your life falls apart, and it’s wallowing in that with no effort to make sense of it,” she said. “I mean you need to have a wallow — it’s crucial.”
The turning point comes in the middle with a song, appropriately enough, called “Turn”. After that, the songs take on a more upbeat tone.
“(The songs) are still dealing with sadness and heartbreak, but there’s a conscious effort to do better and be better. The album takes on an optimistic tone as I grow as a person. By the end, the album’s like: it’s okay, I’m getting by, I’m coping.”
E^ST, whose name was inspired by her mother’s maiden name Oosthuysen (oost means east in Dutch), has supported the likes of Panic! At The Disco and Twenty One Pilots on tour. The dynamic tunesmith has also become an in-demand writer for other artists, from global concerns like Noah Cyrus to acts from back home like Nicole Millar. With 500,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, and millions of views on YouTube, including her Triple J Like A Version raking in 2.5 million views, E^ST has cemented her position at the forefront of Australia’s alt-pop scene.
Praise for “FRESH OUT OF LOVE”
“Aussie legend and future superstar E^ST has come roaring back with new song ‘Talk Deep’ – and it sounds like a hit, friends.” - The Music
“E^ST has always managed to tap into the experience of growing up like no other.” - Cool Accidents
“E^ST is fast becoming this country’s Robyn by delivering sad, danceable moments and she’s done it once again with ‘Flight Path’.” - The Interns
“E^ST is a pioneer of the changing landscape of pop music in Australia. Her work masterfully combines pop sensibilities with razor-sharp lyrics. It’s charming, biting and extraordinarily witty.” - The Brag
“Needless to say she’s prolific.” - Music Feeds