Ella Thompson‘s latest single, “Omen,” plunges one into a world where love becomes a beacon among the shadows. The track is a preview of her upcoming album Ripple on the Wing (November 15th) and masterfully blends a dark piano-driven soul with cinematic, Italo-horror influences that creates a unique cinematic auditory experience.
With its commanding drum beats and driving bass that underscore Ella’s soulful vocals, the song’s arrangement that centres around the piano adds a layer of intensity and mystery. It evokes the suspenseful atmosphere of classic Italian Giallo films and this cinematic quality is not just a stylistic choice but serves as a narrative device that enhances the song’s theme of love confronting dark forces.
Ella’s exploration of supernatural themes is personal as she draws inspiration from her great-grandfather’s haunting painting of a black swan and its connection to omens. She reflects,
“I was intrigued by the eerie supernatural elements present across 1960s/1970s Italian Giallo Films & Soundtracks, where characters are followed by ghosts or dark spirits, trying to bring them a message. This concept brought to mind a painting by my great-grandfather, Len Annois, made in the 1950s. The painting depicted a black swan in watercolour & charcoal, inspired by a real-life incident where a swan had died on power lines near his home & which became the subject of many of his paintings. I’ve always been drawn to this particular painting, which was stored unframed in a dusty stack for over 70 years before being found again. Additionally, the painting and its backstory reminded me of William Blake’s poem, ‘Auguries of Innocence’, which explores augury, the ancient practice of observing bird behaviour to predict omens.”
This fusion of visual art and musical storytelling enriches “Omen” and makes it more than just a song but a luxe and atmospheric experience.
“Omen” is a statement of Ella Thompson’s ability to blend soulful and cinematic elements with deeply personal themes and promises both an emotional engagement and artistic sophistication.
