UNDERRATED ARTISTS: ESTHERO

UNDERRATED ARTISTS: ESTHERO

The first time I listened to Esthero I was in my rented room in New York, destroyed by an interminable day of work serving at the tables of a small Italian restaurant. I was smoking a joint and listening to a playlist on the keys of Sade and Bjork, when the song "Superheroes", which I did not know until then, sang the first notes. I was fascinated by it. The vibe was extremely pleasant and caressing, and Esthero's soft, calm voice made me close my eyes and let myself be guided by her words. The melancholy and harmonious lyrics whispered comfort and peace to my ears. But who was that artist? How long has she been making music? I discovered that Esthero, Jenny-Bea Englishman, is Canadian and that she began her recording career with the album “Breath From Another” in 1997, the same album from which the song “Superheroes” is from. I decided to listen to the artist's works to learn more about her music. I must admit that Esthero has both a personality and very peculiar and pleasant sounds. Her style blends notes of hip hop, jazz and Spanish guitar with which she creates a persuasive and sweet product. Esthero also knows how to be incisive with her lyrics and harmonies, and has proven it with songs like "We R In Need of A Musical Revolution". Although Esthero has never been fully appreciated by the mainstream scene, she can certainly count some collaborations with great artists including André 3000, Cee-Lo Green, Sean Lennon, Miguel, Timbaland, Will.i.Am, Kanye West (for whom he participated in the writing of three songs of the album "808s & Heartbreak") and Brandy (for which she collaborated in the writing of the lyric part of the album "Human").

In 2012 Esthero began self-producing her musical material, and in 2016 the album “Breath From Another” was nominated for the Polaris Heritage Prize. 

2019 sees the singer together with the Black Eyed Peas in the collaboration of the song "4ever", and "Baby Steps" will be the last art project Esthero will refer to during an announcement on social media to fans.

In my opinion, the artist's best songs are:

"Superheroes" from Breath From Another

"Gone ft Cee-Lo Green" from Wikked Lil 'Grrrls

"Thank Heaven 4 You" from Wikked Lil' Grrrls

"Over" from Everything Is Expensive

If you also like the sounds described above, I suggest you give Esthero a listen! I am sure that, if not all, at least some of her songs will be able to thrill you. Thanks for stopping by today, and I look forward to seeing you next week with a new “underrated” artist. Ciao! Martina.