Los Angeles-based artist Christopher Ellis crafts a moving sound on “Ragdoll,” whose balladry compels across both lush acoustic strums and gorgeous string arrangements. Ellis drew inspiration from the experience of seeing a discarded doll in a trash bin, in turn prompting themes of societal neglect within his affecting songwriting. Specifically, the lyrics come from the perspective of the titular rag doll, experiencing a sense of being misunderstood as “everyone stares, but no one ever sees,” beyond the button eyes.
Tender acoustics and solemn strings infuse with heartrending qualities as “Ragdoll” is set into motion. Ellis’ vocal presence emerges with calming introspection, tonally reminiscent of Damien Jurado. “She’s supposed to like it, but it doesn’t feel the way it should feel,” he lets out, into the aforementioned “everybody stares,” acknowledgement. The lyricism unveils with haunting entrancement, using the “ragdoll to be played with,” metaphor artfully in conveying feelings of being misunderstood and treated like a disposable object. The production resonates in its range between more subdued acoustic-laden contemplation and warming swells of strings, combining with emotive lyrical enthrallment for a thorough success from Christopher Ellis.
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This and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
