Review: "TEST RUN" - Ella Stae
- Taylor Sheridan Lempke
- Oct 22
- 2 min read
Ella Stae jumps into racing hyper-beats, rumbling bass, and heavy drive on vocals in “TEST RUN.” Stae can tell when someone’s speaking to show off. She digs past the surface and the ways people advertise themselves. She ignores pick-up lines and searches for passion. Her lyrics are just as unfiltered and raw—but keep in mind, not messy. Stae isn’t afraid to call people out for being all talk. She sings, “Show don’t tell.” She’s reaching for the truth because some people drop their promises in relationships. Progress is important. Ella Stae needs a test run to make sure they’ll move forward.
“TEST RUN kicks off with a beat like a ticking clock. The tempo is just the right balance of urgency and pressure, but the freedom found when you’re racing against time. She pumps up the edge with heavy drive on the vocals. It’s slightly static, like she’s shouting the truth through a megaphone. It’s another sign of this passion for love that leads her to discover who someone really is. The bass rumbles the speakers like the moment an engine ignites. Stae creates a sense of “Will it all fall apart? Or will we make it to the finish line?” Every layer is a push to the limit.
Since Stae’s debut single, “Burnt Out Candle,” her music has evolved into new forms. The 2022 release was a slow tempo with reverbed piano keys. On her EP, she continued producing soft tracks that pull you in with the emotion in her voice. Her release, “Dump and Drive,” with Anika and Karim, was a gateway to a faster tempo. The electronic scene entered her music, pushing her towards TEST RUN’s filters and hyper-pop beats. Stae has come a long way from receiving her first guitar at nine years old.
Written By Taylor Sheridan Lempke
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