There is a distinct, intoxicating tension running straight through the spine of Ebbb’s debut album, Shallow Hits. On paper, the South London trio consisting of vocalist Will Rowland, producer Lev Ceylan, and drummer Scott MacDonald occupy an intriguing middle ground in the modern electronic landscape. Across these 11 tracks, they establish their signature dynamic, textured sound, where existential weariness and pop euphoria comfortably exist side by side.
Ebbb first came to prominence in 2023, where their more avant-garde leanings saw them share the stage with similarly minded bands such as black midi, Black Country, New Road and Squid. Famed for their intense live performances, the band soon caught the attention of Ninja Tune, who released their excellent All at Once EP in 2024. Their debut full-length, Shallow Hits, sees the trio pull threads present on early tracks like “Himmel” and “Swarm” into previously unexplored directions
“Come Alive” begins gently and introspectively, built around tender chords, plucked acoustic guitar, and Rowland’s light, soaring falsetto. Just as the melancholy threatens to overwhelm, the band drops a glorious hook that instantly recalls the cerebral, restless pop energy of bands such as Everything Everything and Metronomy. It sets a high bar early on, establishing the record’s overarching vibe with infectious, dance-adjacent grooves and lyrics anchored in the intricacies of the human experience.
That momentum carries straight into “Home Ground”, where stuttering, precise electronics frame Rowland’s vocal versatility. He stretches syllables effortlessly, transforming introspective lines into dreamy, hypnotic hooks. The bright, Latin-infused slice of funk pop, “Now You Know” shifts the mood entirely. Driven by staccato drums and gleaming synths, it carries a warm, summery exuberance built for festival sunshine while retaining their left-field sensibility.
Ebbb’s knack for fusing genres continues into the album’s mid-section. “Pander” glides along a clever sample before dissolving into rivers of twinkling synths that see the track out in sleek, electropop fashion. “Side On” then ramps up the tension with layered, floating vocal loops interspersed with sudden, ferocious bursts of drum and bass rhythms. The track is a perfect example of how the sheer energy of the live drums locks in step with the synthetic beats. Unpredictable and musically dynamic, its dark lyrical undercurrents (“From there on your dreams turn into dust”) hit like a grim prophecy wrapped inside a celebration.
The record’s emotional and sonic core arrives with its title track. Opening with oppressive brass fanfares before bursting into radiant synth hooks, “Shallow Hits” finds Rowland navigating the emotional wreckage of a failing relationship: “You can sabotage what we built between us / You could eat me alive.” The arrangement builds steadily to a euphoric, explosive climax.
The later half of the record showcases the trio’s expansive range while keeping the atmosphere tightly coiled. “You’ve Got Me Where You Want Me” detours into lush chamber pop, making exquisite use of gliding, cinematic strings. “Moving On” shifts back toward the floor with house-influenced, swift beats, while “Youth” opens with a breathtaking choral motif before morphing into baroque pop layered over springy techno electronics.
Ultimately, Ebbb’s Shallow Hits navigates the space between emotional anxiety and dancefloor release. It impresses by never staying in one place for too long, continually elevated by the music’s sheer ambition and craft as it shifts gracefully from quiet introspection to expansive, euphoric peaks. It is a deeply engaging debut that proves the most compelling pop music often lurks in the darkest corners.