ellen o – sparrows and doves (reissue)

released on vinyl November 15th, 2023

Gold Bolus is reissuing one of its first and most important releases – ellen o’s sparrows and doves, originally released in 2014. The first steps into ellen’s world of labyrinthine synth pop, dreamwave, and footwork is now available on vinyl for the first time, along with a 16 page booklet with lyrics and writings from her collaborators. The album captures ellen at age 26, an omnivorous musical mind clarifying her sonic identity.

sparrows and doves is a complex statement that holds melancholy close to revelry and confusion amidst clarity. The title track captures the unfettered joy of floating on high, while the singer of “chicago” is so confounded by “the world’s saddest city” that she can’t remember how to fall asleep or wake up. “GMGF” has a prayer-like quality of wishing a friend well, and “heaven looks like flowers” offers gentleness in the face of the terror of death. ellen’s layered vocals and synthesizers along with her budding studio chops paint distinct but ambiguous portraits.

To this end, we are pleased to present sparrows and doves for the first time on vinyl with expanded packaging. 100% of proceeds from this reissue will go to organizations ellen’s family has selected for the prevention of suicide and mental health care support in general.