David Ell

Haunting Times began with the idea of dreams and nightmares as reflections of the world around us — moments when the familiar becomes distorted, unsettling or difficult to understand.

Across ten songs it moves through dreams, anxiety and confrontation towards something more hopeful: awakening.

David has released three earlier albums. 

Announcing himself with his debut album Wreckingball, a record full of dark, brooding and powerful pop songs, his first studio album, was recorded and mixed at Cava Studios in Glasgow, an album reviewed as "epic", having a "big big sound", "lush and full" . "For raw heart-on-the-sleeve pop, look no further" (Is This Music 2008). While the tracks on his debut feature work equally well as pared down acoustic versions, there is no doubt the finished sound of this album is a big big band sound richly crafted with layer upon layer of guitar and keyboard parts driving the strong melodies at the heart of this album. It's an eclectic sound, mixing the best traditions of classic British and American pop-rock.

David Ell followed up with his second long player released 2012 and entitled Dance of the Furies. This represented an arresting change of direction from the indie alternative electronica rock sound of his debut feature. An entirely instrumental album with a distinctive theme and classical influences coming to the fore, it featured in NBT Music Radio's 100 top albums of 2012 alongside artists such as Sigur Ros, Richard Hawley and Bats for Lashes whilst one of the tracks Destiny Waits While The Twilight Fires Fade featured as one of the top 100 tracks of the year. 

David Ell's third studio album Welcome To The Ball, veering more into pop rock was released in 2016.

Welcome to the Ball review highlights: 

"music of real character" (David Sinclair, The Times)

“Welcome to the Ball is a cool confident catchy pop confection....reminiscent of early 90s Brit-pop like Blur’s best. Songs are immaculate in their delivery....”
Flatline: "Downright beautiful the piece has a dreamy, dramatic feel to it..."(Skope)

"a big screen cinematic emotional explosion of an album"