We previously featured ELTUS for channelling festival energy and euphoric club vibes on HUSH HUSH HUSH, so when we found out that ELTUS was back with vocalist Askella on their new single, CAN’T OWN ME, we were curious to say the least, and couldn’t wait to listen and share our experience.
CAN’T OWN ME opens with a synth riser and ethereal vocals, “Oh no no, I won’t play that role, you can’t own my soul…”. The opus expands with a dimensional and dramatic synthscape to take us on a high octane and dimensional journey.
“Pretty on the surface, quiet when you go, that’s the kinda woman they all want to control, smile a little sweeter, never speak too much, but I was born electric, I was never made for hush, don’t be convenient, don’t be so easy to keep, don’t lose your fire, don’t give them what they need, be both, be dangerous…”
We are obsessed with the intentional message of the song. ELTUS and Askella encourage women to reject the pressure to fit into narrow, “acceptable” roles. It celebrates a spirited, passionate nature that shouldn’t be silenced.
The song invites women to erode expectations and stop seeking approval at the cost of their identity. It is a powerful message that women need to hear now more than ever, in the face of so much manosphere and trad-wife content.
The glitched vocals and rising EDM adjacency are genius, whilst the self-referential notions in the lyrics demonstrate cohesive artistry. The almost spoken-word, rapped segment before the final chorus is also a brilliant touch, whilst the emotive chord changes really tap into our heart’s centre. We could also imagine the track being featured in a female superhero movie like Supergirl, Madame Web, or The Marvels.
Speaking on the release, ELTUS powerfully says, “For me, CAN’T OWN ME is not only a title. It is a line you draw around your own soul.” The artist elaborates, “CAN’T OWN ME is about the moment when a person stops asking for permission to be themselves. This track is not only about rebellion, but about dignity, self-respect, and the inner decision to stop living inside someone else’s expectations. Behind the club energy, there is a personal philosophy I believe in: real strength is not always loud. Sometimes it begins quietly, when someone finally says: You can’t own me.”
Needless to say, we are in awe, and deeply connect with the sentiment that manifests with CAN’T OWN ME. We have added the song to our New Music Spotlight playlist, and our TIMELESS and TRIPPY playlists, whilst we continue to stream ELTUS‘s exquisite wider discography, including NOT FOREVER and HUSH HUSH HUSH.