Album Review: Nieve Ella - How Long Will It Take ★★★★½

Nieve Ella’s musical trajectory has been one of the most interesting ones I have witnessed yet. What started out as an indie-pop project has evolved into a fully developed and matured alt-rock powerhouse. Comparing her previous releases to her debut album How Long Will It Take? feels like looking at two different artists entirely. Nieve Ella has shed her teenage pop persona and stepped into a confident new era, one that embraces the grit, distortion and emotional intensity of alternative rock without losing the vulnerability that made her music so compelling in the first place.

There is a newfound sense of conviction running through this record. Ella sounds more assured in her songwriting, allowing her sound to grow bigger and bolder while still holding on to the intimate, confessional quality that has always been at the heart of her music. There is a certain freedom in hearing an artist grow into her sound so unapologetically, no longer confined to the expectations of what she once was but instead embracing everything she is capable of becoming. How Long Will It Take? feels like a statement of intent, marking a clear turning point in her career.

The album has also been crafted with immense care for detail. Every track weaves seamlessly into the next, making the record feel less like a collection of individual songs and more like one cohesive body of work. Its musical consistency never comes at the expense of variety, with the arrangements giving each track room to breathe while contributing to the album’s broader sonic identity. The guitars bring a welcome edge. There is a clear understanding of the world Ella wants to create here, and every element feels deliberately placed within it.

Clear standouts, apart from the singles which were all absolutely fantastic, are ‘Love:Hate’ and the penultimate track ‘Back To Basics’. The latter is a particular highlight, showcasing everything that makes this album so compelling. The vocal distortions that build throughout the track create an almost palpable tension, leading into a belted bridge that feels like a genuine release. As the layers accumulate and the choir comes in, the song reaches an almost overwhelming emotional peak – a genuinely perfect song.

With How Long Will It Take?, Nieve Ella proves she is a force to be reckoned with. This is an artist who has outgrown the boundaries of her earlier releases and is ready to take up considerably more space.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE? OUT NOW.