“Living Twice,” the latest release by Italian producer, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Ellecielles, emerges as a darkwave-driven, post-punk infused soundscape that builds its narrative on emotional duality and lived contradiction. Rooted in a home-studio, self-crafted approach, the track extends the artistic identity of an artist who has spent the last six years shaping sound textures through shoegaze, dream-pop and contemporary post-punk influences. Conceived, performed, arranged and recorded independently, “Living Twice” reflects a deep commitment to the craft and embraces the aesthetics of “zero-budget” production without sacrificing sonic detail or immersive clarity. The result aligns with a high-quality release that fits seamlessly within today’s evolving underground wave scene, making it a compelling addition to a modern post-punk universe.
From the opening seconds, the track establishes a frozen, mist-coated atmosphere through an icy and industrial-leaning synth pad that settles as the ambient foundation. The cold timbre of this intro suggests both tension and anticipation, delivering an almost cinematic foreword before melodic elements begin to surface. Soon after, hypnotic lead keys enter with a reverberant, dream-haunted phrasing, echoing across the track like fragments of recurring memories or visions. Their repetitiveness becomes both a motif and a state of mind, simulating the endless feedback loop of introspective thought. The synth work chooses depth over spectacle, favouring minimal but emotionally loaded textures capable of transmitting unease and fascination simultaneously.
Rhythmically, “Living Twice” borrows traits from the post-punk tradition, with percussive elements relying on a groove that feels immediate, dry and subtly mechanical. The drum sections maintain a pulse that is never overwhelming but constantly pushes the track forward, allowing the emotional narrative to unfold without stagnation. The groove avoids excessive complexity and focuses instead on consistency, echoing the danceable bleakness typical of early post-punk and new-wave arrangements. Alongside the drums, the bassline becomes a central, narrative-driven element: a Peter Hook-inspired line that carries both emotional heaviness and melodic agency. Its distinctive drive functions as an anchor, stabilizing the surrounding ethereal layers while assembling the melancholic energy that defines the composition. The bass is not merely supportive — it acts as the emotional spine of the song.
Atmospherically, the track places itself between dreamlike introspection and raw emotional exposure. The construction of layered textures follows the artist’s fascination with “walls of sound,” not intended simply as distortion but as dense, multi-level audio structures. This approach resonates with references to shoegaze cult acts such as My Bloody Valentine, Swallow and Starflyer 59, while connecting with modern evolutions like Whirr, Leaving Time and Slow Crush. There is also an echo of atmospheric psychedelia and dream-pop romanticism, pointing toward influences such as M83, Tame Impala and Cocteau Twins. However, “Living Twice” maintains its own identity, avoiding direct imitation and merging these references with a personal interpretation informed by intimate storytelling.
The lyrical dimension explores duality, contradiction and the cost of emotional intensity. The song reflects on the idea of “living twice,” referring to psychological division, internal conflict and the sensation of existing in separate but simultaneous emotional identities. The writing navigates between vulnerability, confrontation and existential questioning, adopting a raw and direct language shaped like an unfiltered stream of consciousness. Concepts such as paying emotional prices, temporary confidence, inner emptiness and the paradoxical coexistence of feeling lost yet somehow found become thematic pillars. The narrative works not as resolution but as articulation, allowing listeners to identify their own emotional landscapes within the experience.
“Living Twice” stands as a carefully constructed piece where rhythmic propulsion, synthesizer depth and introspective writing converge. Its production style maintains an organic authenticity while presenting a refined sonic vision shaped by personal discipline and self-manufactured artistry. This release exemplifies an artist advancing through dedication and experimentation, making it a remarkable track that aligns perfectly with the contemporary wave-driven underground scene and a release we are pleased to showcase through our webzine.