The EP’s title track sets the tone with a jangly, upbeat tapestry of recorders, trumpets, jaunty piano riffs and stacked harmonies. ‘Balance’ captures the joy and chaos of modern family life without sentimentality, rooted in Ellie’s sharp lyrical detail (“battles picked in the early morning never seem to matter at dinnertime”). It marks Ellie’s growing self-confidence as a songwriter and her embracing a playful, chamber-folk aesthetic shaped alongside her band: Mike (guitars), Max (bass), Mark (drums/percussion) and Carly (backing vocals).

Lyrics

Door slams shut and I’m in the hallway
All the coats and bags
This is my paradise
Tired eyes and a tired-er heading for the warmth I need
You are all I need

And every single time I lift my head up to the sky
Those little spots of light which always fly
And give me hope

That I’ll be hard enough but soft enough to hold you
And you’ll be fast enough but slow enough to stay
And I’ll be loud enough but quiet enough to hear you
And if we get the balance right
We’ll be set for life

Back and forth did you hear me right
If you take your time
I can take my time
Battles picked in the early morning
Never seem to matter at dinner time

And every single time I lift my head up to the sky
Those little spots of light which always fly
And give me hope

That I’ll be hard enough but soft enough to hold you
And you’ll be fast enough but slow enough to stay
And I’ll be loud enough but quiet enough to hear you
And if we get the balance right
We’ll be set for life

Whirling and burning a hole
Twirling
Grab out and hold on

I’ll be hard enough but soft enough to hold you
And you’ll be fast enough but slow enough to stay
And I’ll be loud enough but quiet enough to hear you
And if we get the balance right
Then I’ll be

Hard enough but soft enough to hold you
And you’ll be fast enough but slow enough to stay
And I’ll be loud enough but quiet enough to hear you
And if we get the balance right
We’ll be set for life