With the debut of her first single, Keeper E. walks in the door with a wholesome opener anyone wishes they could state: “I’ve been getting along with myself so well.” But this positively charged thread that runs through “Please Don’t Tell Me” is weighed against a longing feeling that plays against the lighter side in a track that speaks to women’s desire to be loved for more than outward beauty. The result is a surprisingly reflective pop anthem that sits perfectly in the transition from summer to fall.
Keeper E. puts forth simple but captivating phrases amidst a background of steady synths and pads, her sing-song harmonies light as the air over the heavier churn. There’s a busyness to the layers floating in the periphery that give a playful, dreamy atmosphere, but is never enough to distract. The balance is well executed and gives punch to the otherwise buoyant song. It’s catchy in melody, it’s catchy in mood, and it’s just plain nice to catch.
Songwriter Adelle Elwood says that the song is about “getting to know yourself better and hoping that you will keep caring for yourself well, even when you are so enthralled with someone else.” It’s an important part of self-love and relationship realness that you don’t find in every pop anthem, and it echoes the down-to-earth folk inspiration that rests underneath Keeper E.’s modern delivery. And there’s something refreshingly blunt about hearing someone say “love is so very distracting.”
“Please Don’t Tell Me” is a strong introduction for the Nova Scotian artist. There is a rooted confidence and an aware positivity that elevates Keeper E. in the ocean of pop. The beautiful harmonies and swaying beats may draw you in, but you’ll stay for the thoughtfulness. Without a doubt, people will be loving her music for much more than what’s on the surface.