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U.K. based artist Etta Bond is a storyteller who brazenly discusses the nuanced feelings of inspiring love and regretful lust. The second installment release of her double album titled, He's Mine, finds Bond relishing in hope and more importantly self-love. Utilizing a bevy of sonic elements and styles, Etta Bond cinematically concludes her double album that, in its entirety, reflects the duality and overall grey-area where love resides. Etta Bond has delivered a journey filled with bliss, reluctance and growth.

To properly understand the overarching theme and gravity of the double album's second installment, we first must understand its predecessor, He's Not Mine. Released on March 15, the album's first part is rooted in anger, frustration and emptiness. Bond's powerful vocal ability and self-awareness as an artist allows her to paint a picture of pain and heartbreak.  

"The first half is kind of like therapy; the second half was more like enjoyment."

The second installment's opening track, "Love Song's About You" barres all scars to the listener. Eloquent production takes a supporting role to Bond's dense vulnerable lyricism that is only heightened by her powerful vocal ability. The album's bold introduction immediately sets a tone that contrasts the first album's theme, from dark to light.

An extended moment of dead air allows for a necessary separation between the album's soft opening and its up-tempo second track, "Surface." Blurring the lines between rapping and singing, Bond flows effortlessly through hip-hop centered production challenging societies superficial ideals. A feature from fellow U.K. artist and rapper A2 provides the record with a complementary male perspective that further elaborates on the complexity held within each person.

The album progresses by embracing sexuality, finding tongue-in-cheek references on "Shorny" and sultry harmonies on "Love Me Up." Both tracks rely on bass-driven production to aid in creating a sexy atmosphere that oozes intimacy. Previously scarred by empty lust, Bond is now engulfed in bliss ready to love again both emotionally and physically.

Rediscovering her own identity, Bond is able to fully embrace love in its purest form. Her SiR collaboration, "More Than A Lover," delves into the growing amount of respect and love she has for her new partner. The hard-hitting bass of the dreamy production plays a clever role in the story of Bond's newfound infatuation. The record is an honest admittance of Bond's past misunderstanding of love and her naivety. Etta Bond now knows what real love is and how it is supposed to feel.

"It's about being honest with myself. As soon as I was able to be honest and acknowledge something within myself, especially in music, things changed. This is the most important moment in my life right now.“

Learning to love herself first is the catalyst to Bond's newfound bliss. Closing the album with "Teleport," a bass-heavy record that delves into the strenuous longing of partner and "Emotional," a lo-fi string accented production that champions everlasting love that can exist outside of preexisting societal norms.

Etta Bond captures emotion, both good and bad. Her natural ability as a vocalist and keen understanding of herself as a person plays an important part in the overall package that is the double album release. In totality, both albums capture a moment in time and a lesson to be learned. Despite an agonizing sense of defeat, there will always be hope; in love, relationships and most importantly, yourself.

Listen to Etta Bond's second installment to her double album, He's Mine, below:  

Etta Bond is currently in the midst of a 15-date tour through the U.K. and Europe. Check out the rest of the dates below and get tickets here.

2nd April - The Castle & Falcon, Birmingham
3rd April - Band On The Wall, Manchester
4th April - Headrow House, Leeds
5th April - The Hug & Pint, Glasgow
6th April - The Sound House, Dublin
8th April - Village Underground, London
9th April - Thekla, Bristol
10th April - Patterns, Brighton