Track of the Day: Farah Elle - 'Play It By Ear'

Singer-songwriter and pianist Farah Elle has shared her new single 'Play It By Ear', following her sublime cover of Massive Attack's 'Teardrop'.

One of Ireland's most promising talents, the composer and performer has released the song independently. At three-and-a-half minutes long, ‘Play It By Ear’ opens with twinkling keys before the Libyan-Irish musician’s distinctive vocal draws the listener into her world of intrigue. Opening the second verse she sings, “Empty but open are my eyes because I tried to lie but I can’t deny this feeling” before the song reaches a joyous, no holds barred crescendo.

Farah says: “​​‘Play it by Ear’ is a song about how we can only ever really take life as it comes. Even when striving to achieve and believe in our long-term goals, we still, in a practical sense, can only take things day-by-day. Some things just need to be played by ear, whether we like it or not.

“The middle eight in this song is simply about my ‘why’ for making music: “I do this to remove it from my bones”. “It” represents the pain that comes with the gift of being alive. In polarity to that pain, is the beauty that motivates us to keep going. Music is one of the most moving aspects of my human experience and helps me see the beauty in the bigger picture.”

Farah Elle’s powerful cadence is a commanding force amongst instantly captivating cinematic soundscapes. On her debut album FATIMA themes of displacement in the period post-Libyan Revolution coexist with songs navigating the challenges of adulthood.

Farah describes this introduction as a 'coming of age' record, one across which she hears herself “unfolding in the songs”. The musician has melded her combined North African and Irish heritage to create a sound that is thoroughly contemporary and completely her own.

Farah's doctor parents came to Ireland to do postgraduate studies, but their daughter chose music instead. As a kid, she taught herself to play the piano on a toy keyboard before her mother bought a piano. She did a music degree in the BIMM institute in Dublin — a perfect match for a self-taught musician. By the time she finished, she’d created her social-media profile and was already getting bookings.

To date, Farah has played numerous prestigious venues and festivals including Vicar Street, The Sugar Club, Electric Picnic, and All Together Now. In November 2021, Farah collaborated with renowned Irish folk musician Liam Ó Maonlaí for a performance commissioned specially for the RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards.

As well as working as an artist, Farah dedicates time to humanitarian aid work and working with young people from ethnic minorities on creative expression through music. She also gives music and wellness workshops to people of all ages and backgrounds. Her name literally means "spreading joy", so that fits.

Listen to 'Play It By Ear' below.