Review: "What If This World" - Kings Elliot
- Azalea Withrow
- Aug 19
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 20
Kings Elliot delivers an introspective fourth single, "What If This World," off her upcoming debut album, Born Blue. Fitting easily into the vulnerable, soul-searching style she's known for, the song still stands out in its production and melancholic feel. The album's title is a clever nod to the artist's trademark blue hair as well as a reflection of Elliot's experience with mental health struggles since childhood. "What If This World" carries the weight of feeling undesired, like you don't matter and don't care to. Elliot sings, achingly, in the song, "I know that it hurts, but it's worse dying young. It's hard watching it turn. What if this world isn't for us?" Exploring themes of heartbreak beyond the romantic sense, Elliot has honed in on her heartfelt balladry to reveal the fragility of our human connections, relying on emotion and candor.
The alt-pop song begins with a soft piano intro that quickly bleeds into understated, rhythmic percussion before adding the piano back into the stack of instrumentals. After the first verse, there is an uptick in prominent use of reverb throughout the rest of the song. Here, the reverb is drawing the sounds of percussion and piano swells further back into the track's soundscape so that Elliot's haunting vocals come forward. The repetition of melodies in the single also leads listeners to focus intently on Elliot's thoughtful lyricism rather than an overcomplicated melodic pattern. As a result, the sound is an emotion-driven dark alternative pop song, reminiscent of early Halsey's similar angsty pop, it borrows bits from many music scenes to create something unique.
Kings Elliot was born in a small town in Switzerland, where she grew up under the care of her English mother. Elliot's transparency about her mental health struggles has been at the forefront of her music career. Turning to music early on for consolation, Elliot has stuck with a musical style inspired by her struggles. Her fans, affectionately known as the "sick puppies," have been drawn to the singer's fresh authenticity. As a result of boldly demonstrating this individuality, Elliot has toured with a number of internationally acclaimed musicians such as Imagine Dragons, Stephen Sanchez, and Lana Del Rey. Her long-awaited debut album, Born Blue, will be available September 26th, marking a new chapter in the artist's career.
Written By Azalea Withrow
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