Chicago-based. singer-songwriter The ELLE can trace the origins of her music career to when she started using various forms of writing as an emotional and creative outlet when she was 8; however, despite the fact that she was long obsessed with music, the Chicago-based artist didn’t seriously pursue a music career until the summer of 2011. Interestingly, although she’s a child of the 90s who grew up listening to neo-soul, hip-hop and that period’s R&B, she publicly claims some legendary and beloved artists as her influences, including Stevie Wonder, Minnie Riperton, Marvin Gaye, and Teena Marie. 

“Drifted,” the latest single off The ELLE’s recently released debut EP, 5AM is an effortlessly soulful track which naturally channels Erykah Badu, Jill Scott and others, as The ELLE’s vocals seem to float and dart about a sensual mix of hip-hop-styled drumming, strummed guitar, a sinuous bass line and a brief but lush explosion of strings towards the song’s conclusion – all of which give the song a breezy, summery feel.