Elliot James Reay
COVER STORY
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COVER STORY ✦
In Manchester, a city often painted in shades of grey, a young artist named Elliot James Reay was conjuring a world untouched by time. Not a world of escapism, but a world of raw, unadulterated feeling—the kind that permeated the airwaves and dance halls of the 1950s and 60s. He wasn’t merely mimicking the past; he was channeling it, embodying its spirit, and re-imagining it for a generation yearning for authenticity.
Photography: Anniselle Lisiuk | Cover: Laramie Cheyenne
The first glimpse many had of Reay was through a series of social media posts showcasing his vocals, becoming a flicker of vintage charm in a digital landscape. His slicked-back hair, the tailored lines of his clothing, the earnest intensity in his eyes—it was a portal to another era. But it wasn’t just the aesthetic; it was the sound. The raw, emotional quality of his music, the unadorned sincerity in his voice, resonated deeply. "The ‘50s and ‘60s just feel like the best era for so many reasons," he confesses. "The music had this raw emotional quality, the fashion was effortlessly cool, and life seemed so much more romantic. Songs weren’t overproduced or overcomplicated, they were just real, and the artists always felt like they had something to prove."
This wasn’t a calculated aesthetic, or a carefully curated image either. It was Reay simply being himself, a young man from Manchester who found solace and inspiration in the sounds and styles of a bygone era. "Since I can remember, I’ve been this way," he explains, attributing it to his roots and his personal values. "When it comes to my music, I’ve got a lot to say and a lot to prove, too."
Thankfully, for listeners, he consistently delivered on that promise with several compelling covers before dropping two immersive and original tracks. His music, a blend of classic melodies and heartfelt lyrics, began to spread like wildfire. "Honestly, it’s been incredible," he says of his organic online growth. "When I first started posting my music, I had no idea how people would respond. But I think it resonated because it came from a real place, I wasn’t trying to chase trends or go viral, I was just sharing the music I love, and it turned out a lot of people love that sound too."
Photography: Anniselle Lisiuk | Cover: Laramie Cheyenne
TikTok, in particular, became a powerful conduit for his music. "It’s such a powerful way to connect with people instantly," he reflects. "Seeing my songs take off, watching people duet them, share their own stories and make my music a part of their lives, it makes everything feel so much more real. Social media is an amazing tool when used in the right way."
The moment his infectious, bluesy single, "I Think They Call This Love," took flight was a turning point. But it wasn’t the charts or the streaming numbers that truly resonated with him. "The moment that really hit me was seeing people use the song in their own special moments, playing it at their weddings or slow dancing in their living rooms," he reveals, clearly impacted by his music’s reach. "Words that were so personal to me are now part of some of the most important moments in other people’s lives. When you actually see people connecting with something you wrote in such a meaningful way… that’s when it really sinks in."
Reay’s visual artistry has also proven to be just as integral to his identity as his music. His music videos, all filmed in Manchester, are like cinematic postcards, inviting listeners to step into his charming retro world. "I feel like it’s important to give a visual to the stories I tell since my music is so personal to me," he explains. "I want my audience to feel like they’re stepping into my world, even if just for a few minutes." Through this natural blend of a vintage aesthetic with his modern surroundings, Reay knows exactly how to create a captivating juxtaposition. "It’s also very fun to really delve into the 50’s aesthetic and implement that into today’s world, to show newer generations why I find it all so cool and maybe introduce people to a sound and a world they haven’t seen before."
His follow-up single, "Boy In Love," showcased a different facet of his artistry, a rock-tinged energy that added a dynamic edge to his classic sound. "With ‘Boy In Love’, I wanted to raise the energy a bit more and create something with a little bite," he says. "The energy is higher, the guitars are bigger, the drums hit harder. It’s got a bit more attitude, but at the same time, the lyrics are still soppy and simple, which I find hilarious." In unpacking the song's multi-faceted nature, he reveals the thematic heart of his work: a commentary on the complexities of love and self-acceptance. "The song can be read as a simple love song, but to me it has a deeper meaning about masculinity and learning to accept,” he continues, “and most of all enjoy being in love."
Through his soulful sound, Reay meticulously weaves subtle nods to his musical heroes into his work, or as he describes it, "little easter eggs to people who get it, such as tiny references to the Everly brothers, Elvis and a little nod to Sam Cooke." While making the effort to call back to some of the legends that paved the way, he employs classic instrumentation and nostalgic production elements, striving for an authentic sound that echoes the past. "We use as many vintage instruments and techniques as we can get our hands on, and keep production as clean and simple as it would have been back then.” Reay gleefully adds, “I hope you can hear how much fun we had making this song reflecting back in the record!"
The singer-songwriter’s ability to balance the influence of iconic artists like Elvis and Roy Orbison with his own personalized, unique vision is also what sets him apart from other prominent artists of today. "I take a lot of inspiration from those legends, but the way I see it is, if I was alive in the ‘50s, I wouldn’t want to be impersonating them, I’d want to be sharing the stage with them," he explains. "In the same way, I hope to honour them and keep their music alive through my own work." Indeed, his music already demonstrates this, filtering their influence through his own experiences and creating something that feels both familiar and fresh. "It’s not about copying a sound,” Reay tells us, “It’s about continuing a conversation between past and present, between their world and mine."
Reay’s recent sold-out debut headline show in Manchester was a testament to his growing impact, setting the stage for even more exciting opportunities to come. "To see a room full of people singing along to my songs was an incredible feeling and the idea of my music impacting people didn’t hit me until that moment," he says, brimming with excitement. "The energy from the crowd was also insane, and it made me even more excited for what’s to come." Emphasizing his roots in live performance, he goes on to divulge, "As a live musician first and foremost, performing is where I come alive. I wanted my debut show to be in Manchester because it was my own personal achievement and it meant a lot to do my first proper show at home and to give something back to my town."
Following the promising trajectory of his music and industry potential, Reay has also made a transition from independent artist to Interscope signee, which has fortunately been a seamless one. "I released my first song [“I Think They Call This Love”] independently, which was extremely daunting, though I wouldn’t do anything differently as it has led me to this point," he says. "Going from doing everything myself to having a team behind me has been a big shift, but it’s been amazing. I had spent so much time making sure I knew exactly who I was as an artist before signing, so now it just feels like I have more tools to bring my vision to life. I am also just extremely lucky to have found a wonderful team who support me and push me to be my authentic self. I’m excited to go bigger, create to the best of my ability, and see where this next chapter takes me."
That next chapter includes Reay’s highly anticipated debut album, which is currently in development. "I’m really excited for my debut album! To put out a body of work that I am really proud of and will hopefully give people more of an insight into my life," he admits. "I hope for fans to hear the depth of my songwriting and the different directions I can take my music. More than anything, I just want it to feel timeless, something people can listen to years from now and still feel something. That’s the goal."
And with Reay continuing to craft a sound that transcends eras, that goal seems entirely tangible. Because, he’s not just reviving the past; he’s rewriting it, one heartfelt melody at a time—building a legacy that bridges generations and reaffirms the enduring power of sincerity and a dream.
