There is a certain raw power in allowing your internal monologue to spill out into the world. For the London trio Ebbb—Lev Ceylan, Will Rowland, and Scott MacDonald—this process isn’t just songwriting; it’s catharsis. It’s the deliberate act of taking deeply personal anxieties about self-esteem and relationships and channeling them into something vast and resonant.
The sound they craft is often a slow-burn synth-pop heart, built on emotional complexity that catches listeners off guard. At the core of their work is Rowland’s ability to wield his voice as both a melodic scalpel and a textural element, weaving lyrics that hit hard while surrounding themselves with music primed for blissful release. As one member reflects, there is a profound power in externalizing this internal world: “It’s like, this is how I feel – do you feel like that too?”
This dynamic tension between the deeply personal and the euphoric is where Ebbb truly distinguishes themselves. Their songs don’t just offer escape; they invite an emotional reckoning. They masterfully find the dissonance between the celebratory production and the intensely private lyrical voice, creating experiences that are simultaneously transportive and profoundly honest.
The shift from private introspection to public performance is central to their method. While the initial songs often felt like deeply personal acts developed over time, bringing them to the stage transforms them into communal gatherings. This evolution, coupled with MacDonald’s transformation from a live drummer to a full-time member, has given Ebbb a sound that is wonderfully tactile and dynamic.
Their trajectory has been influenced by a rich tapestry of musical history. Ceylan’s journey took him through rock, metal, jazz, and classical training, while Rowland was steeped in the dream-pop and chamber-pop scenes of the indie world. This diverse background informs their eclectic mix, allowing them to blend disparate influences—from the melodic riddles of The Beach Boys to the angular energy of Death Grips—into something entirely their own.
Far from chasing fleeting trends on social media, Ebbb has made a conscious decision to rely on the visceral impact of their live performances and word-of-mouth buzz. They have chosen to eschew the constant grind of content creation in favour of authentic connection, allowing their music to build an organic momentum.
The result is a body of work, including their debut EP Ebbb-Shallow-Hits”>Shallow Hits, that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. It is a testament to the fact that when artists embrace vulnerability and harness creative drive, they don’t just make music—they create a space where listeners can experience catharsis together.
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Credit: NME
