When you put your heart into music, when you lay your soul bare and let your listeners see all parts of yourself, I don’t think you can ever go wrong. That’s exactly what Eliza Hull has done with her new EP, Here They Come. You might remember me raving about the single “Running Underwater.” It set my expectations high, but the songs that support it on this five-track EP are every bit as strong.
It’s no coincidence that Eliza released Here They Come a few weeks ago on December 1, to coincide with International Day of People With Disability.
“I wanted to release the EP during the week of International Day of People With Disability because this record is about celebrating my disabled identity; it’s about all the parts of myself I hid away for so long because of stigma,” Eliza explained. “I also want to be the representation I was seeking as a disabled emerging musical artist.”
While these songs are bound to connect with listeners with disabilities who may have felt underrepresented or marginalised, I connected with this music on a purely human level. These are songs of struggle and strength, of acceptance and liberation. Eliza is a superb songwriter with an incredible voice, and that combination is showcased so powerfully here. She keeps the instrumentation simple, ensuring we can catch every important word she sings. Every song is a triumph, from the gentle piano ballad “Stay” to the epic slow burner, “Lilac Dreams.”
I’ve sat with this EP for a few days and I am falling more in love with every listen. It really is such a special release. I’ve been a fan of Eliza’s work for many years. It feels like everything she’s done before has been building towards this. Here They Come is out now. She’ll play the following shows next year to support its release.
20 January 2024 – Sydney Festival @ ACO Pier 2/3, Eora/Sydney
17 February 2024 – Town Folk Festival @ The Bridge Hotel, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Castlemaine
23 February 2024 – Malthouse Theatre Outdoor Stage, Naarm/Melbourne
24 February 2024 – Cube Theatre, Wiradjuri Country/Wodonga
3 March 2024 – Mordi Festival @ Peter Scullin Reserve, Boonwurrung Country/Mordialloc
Main photo credit: Simon Browne