East London's rising star Ormella has made a fearless entrance into the music world with her debut single 'Never's a Promise' — a moving musical introduction from an artist unafraid to confront heartbreak head-on.
“‘Never’s a Promise’ is one of those songs that poured out of me — it wasn’t a labour of love like some of the other songs I’ve written this year,” Ormella explains in a press release. “Lyrically, it’s one of the most truthful reflections of how I was feeling while coming out of a relationship with someone I felt had more than deceived me but that I still deeply love.”
To celebrate the release, Variance sat down with the musician to discuss her experiences with love and the painful aftermath of it crumbling apart, musical influences, and what she’s got planned next.
Congratulations on the release of your debut single. It's such an emotionally-charged song, beautifully blending indie-folk, folk pop, and slowcore into a deeply personal sonic image.
Thank you so much! It’s really overwhelming to release something so personal and still close to my heart.
Can you tell me more about what inspired you to write it?
It was really the emotion from my last break-up, alongside some lyrics I’ve had in my journal from a relationship where... well, there's no point hiding it as I've more than eluded to it online, I found out I was being cheated on; with multiple women, hours after being proposed to. I used to live by a prison in London then — the prisoners had such a show from my balcony that night.
It was one of the most emotionally painful things to go through. I didn't even say “yes” at the time because I was only 21. I'd also just started experiencing symptoms of a neuro-pathic pain disorder — so there I was, thinking I didn't want to be a burden.
There was a lockdown on top of it, so the person was staying with me... It was mental.
What’s it like taking that pain and turning into music for you?
All but one of my upcoming songs are written from a post-break-up lens. It doesn’t really feel like I tried to turn anything into music — it’s just always been my outlet, even if I’d never released any of it professionally.
Thinking about it now, though, something I did a lot when writing this [‘Never’s a Promise’] was kind of experimenting with melody, and lyrics appeared from just singing out in the open without any instruments. It felt cathartic.
Your songwriting packs one heck of a brutally honest punch. Talk me through it.
The songs I write are snapshots of my emotions, even if I don’t necessarily feel the same way now.
I’m an actress, too, so I enjoy embellishing my art with a little more drama than is actually accurate to my own life experiences sometimes.
The chorus of 'Never's a Promise' sounds like both a declaration of moving on and a direct message to the person who hurt you. How does that reflect your journey of healing?
It’s really a reminder to myself. I don't think I’ve ever thought of it as a direct message — it's more so a collective of my personal experiences due to heartbreak; almost a manifestation to not go back to someone who’s proven in their actions that they don’t love me or respect me, even if I, myself, feel the opposite.
Looking back on it, what’s one thing you’ve learnt throughout that heartbreak?
I can't lie and tell you I've been strong the whole time, because I haven't.
The girl in me just wants to be looked after and told it's all going to be okay… all the time. But I’ve realised that I want to be able to do that for myself, I'm striving for that everyday.
Some of your influences include iconic artists like Joni Mitchell, Florence Welch, and Christine McVie. How have they shaped your sound?
They’re all artists that have their own sound, and I think that’s partly why they resonate with me.
I’ve always had a different-sounding voice, to the point where, growing up, I had to actively ignore bullies and learn to trust myself. To have those strong female vocals to listen to is really empowering for me.
It’s really nice to hear that you’ve discovered empowerment within their art.
That, plus the honesty and boldness in their lyrics, always struck me and I will always aim to be as brave as those artists.
What do you hope the listeners take away from 'Never's a Promise'?
Allow yourself to be angry, let yourself feel all that real emotion, and choose what life you want for yourself.
And… please don’t go back to the people that have shown you that they don’t care about you.
So, what’s next for you?
The next single, titled ‘Choke’, is coming out on the 23rd of May. I’ve got three more songs recorded but, right now, I can’t actually afford to finish them.
I’d love to do an album in the future. But I’m currently working on an EP, called Stick the Knife in. Making it while working at my bar job has made it hard, however, I want this with my whole soul.
I’ll always do music, though. The future feels bright.
"Never’s a Promise" is out now.