The Track Forecast: We’ve reached peak Nieve Ella with breakout banger ‘Ganni Top…’

Music meteorology: predicting the next wave of megahits and earworms with the tracks they’re teasing and releasing now.

Nieve Ella has finally unlocked the swagger that’s been simmering under the surface for so long.

Words: Dan Harrison.

Nieve Ella’s ‘Ganni Top (She Gets What She Needs)’ is every bit The Statement Piece. It’s a look-at-me moment that throws itself over the top rope into the ring, dukes up, ready for a scrap. Right from its elastic fantastic opening bars, it’s clear this isn’t a track that tiptoes around its intentions. The guitars snarl and snap like they’ve got something to scream about, while Nieve’s vocals ride the chaos with an effortless sense of control and chaos, daring us to keep the fuck up. This isn’t common potato-peeler indie-pop sticking starchily to the been-there-done-that expectations; it grabs you by the shoulders and shakes for all it’s worth.

It’s a song that doesn’t just feel alive – it screams it, a relentless barrage of hedonism and release that hits like a shot of pheromones and adrenaline. ‘Ganni Top’ doesn’t hesitate, doesn’t slow down – it erupts with the kind of energy that’s as infectious as it is unrelenting. Every note feels wired, like it’s been building up behind the scenes, waiting for the right moment to detonate.

‘Ganni Top’ has already sparked to life during Nieve’s live shows, a moment of pure, messy fun that demanded its place on the setlist before it was even unveiled to the wider passes. It’s the kind of song best discovered in some grimy club before the world catches on, a secret to keep to yourself because it’s so damn good. But really, there’s no keeping something like ‘Ganni Top’ under wraps – Nieve Ella has finally unlocked the swagger that’s been simmering under the surface for so long.

Her vocals are sharp and playful, flitting between commanding, cajoling and carefree with ease. The whole track radiates the confidence of someone who’s done waiting for permission to take up space. There’s no tiptoeing around anything here – ‘Ganni Top’ doesn’t care if it arrives like a car crash or with the poise of a ballet dancer; either way, it’s unapologetic and triumphant.

The genius of Nieve Ella is in how she captures the shared, electric sparks of a live performance and translates it into something to feel even through headphones. It’s a feeling, a rush of no fucks given bombast that commands respect and awe in equal measure. Nieve’s vocals hold court at the heart of that, carrying the same raw, crackling energy of her live shows, a rebellious grin shining through in every lyric.

‘Ganni Top’ is what Nieve has been building towards for a while now – a track that’s fearless, full of wit, and let’s leave the brake pedal well alone. It’s the defining glimpse of her upcoming EP ‘Watch It Ache and Bleed’, and if this is the energy we’re getting, then 2025 is going to be her playground.

There’s a sense that Nieve has been ready for this for longer than we realised. “I feel like I’m finding myself properly, and it’s so cool to feel that,” she told us earlier this year. ‘Ganni Top’ is proof that she’s not only found her footing – she’s storming ahead. This isn’t the sound of someone testing the waters; it’s a full-on dive bomb into the deep end. 

LINKS IN BIO

THE NEW BOPS AND BANGERS THEY’RE TEASING FOR IMMINENT RELEASE

SASAMI – SLUGGER

Release date: Monday 23rd September 2024

SASAMI returns with ‘Slugger’, her first release since the critically acclaimed 2022 album ‘Squeeze’. The Los Angeles-based artist has been pushing boundaries, blending elements of metal and industrial music on a diverse, indie-tinged canvas. ‘Slugger’ should mark a continuation of her genre-defying sound, coming at a time when SASAMI’s artistic versatility is increasingly becoming the template for others who trail in her wake.

DAMIANO DAVID – SILVERLINES

Release date: Friday 27th September 2024

Måneskin frontman Damiano David makes his solo debut with ‘Silverlines’, produced by Grammy-winning artist Labrinth. Writing on social media, David explains, ‘I travelled all around the world to find my voice, just to end up where everything started’. Arriving at a point where his band still have serious momentum – the kind that struggles to be stopped by the slings and arrows of critical jibes – it’s a turn into something new that promises to be worth the attention.

THE ACES – THE MAGIC

Release date: Tuesday 24th September 2024

The Aces return with ‘The Magic’, their first release since their 2023 album ‘I’ve Loved You For So Long’. The alt-popsters band from Utah have been evolving their sound, focusing on personal storytelling and refined pop production, their recent music seeing them delve deeper into themes of relationships and self-discovery. A band with a consistently brilliant record of infectious, engaging moments, ‘The Magic’ sounds primed to be their next intoxicating spell.

BIIG PIIG – 4AM

Release date: Friday 27th September 2024

Jessica Smyth, aka Biig Piig, is due back this week with new track, ‘4am’. The Irish bop-star has been steadily building momentum since her earliest moves, blending neo-soul, trip-hop, and R&B influences. With a Dork cover already under her belt, ‘4am’ arrives as Biig Piig continues to make a mark.

LAUREN MAYBERRY – SOMETHING IN THE AIR

Release date: Tuesday 1st October 2024

CHVRCHES vocalist Lauren Mayberry is set to continue her solo venture with ‘Something In The Air’. Following on from previous solo singles ‘Are You Awake?’ and ‘Shame’, Mayberry’s solo work has been exploring more personal territory. With news of her much (much) anticipated debut album to come, there’s a feeling that Lauren packs enough of a lexicon of pop brilliance to provide something both just as inventive and impressive as her work with the band, but also with a completely unique perspective alongside it.

RACHEL CHINOURIRI – EVEN (FEAT. CAT BURNS)

Release date: Wednesday 2nd October 2024

Rachel Chinouriri is teaming up with Cat Burns for ‘Even’, following the critical acclaim of her debut album ‘What a Devastating Turn of Events’, and Cat’s own first full-length ‘Early Twenties’. Though Rachel has had an up and down time of late – forced to cancel US shows but with a string of prime supports and key looks continuing to pile up at her door – a team-up with the equally impressive Burns promises to be a powerhouse move. 

PERRIE – YOU GO YOUR WAY

Release date: Friday 4th October 2024

Perrie continues her post-Little Mix solo journey with ‘You Go Your Way’. Following her debut solo single ‘Forget About Us’ and the ballad ‘Tears’, details of her upcoming album remain under wraps, but she’s been open about collaborating with star-studded names including Ed Sheeran and RAYE. In a recent interview with NME, Perrie described her album as diverse, stating, “What I wanted to make sure of was that every song [from] a different genre had a sister or sibling on the album, so it’s not completely mismatched.” ‘You Go Your Way’ is another step on that journey for an artist finding her voice away from the comfort of one of the biggest girl groups of all time.

BRADLEY SIMPSON – ALWAYS LIKE THIS

Release date: Friday 4th October 2024

Bradley Simpson, best known as lead vocalist of The Vamps, is giving it a go at the whole ‘solo thing’ – much like everyone else at the moment, it seems. ‘Always Like This’ marks Simpson’s first release since The Vamps announced their hiatus in 2023. In a recent interview with Hot Press, Simpson explained, “The album’s about the past ten years of my life, so it covers a lot. As a musician and producer, it’s the biggest challenge I’ve had in a long time.”