A Confident Country Swagger: Ellie Marie’s ‘Don’t Take It To Heart’ EP
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
Ellie Marie, affectionately dubbed the “Bristolian Cowgirl,” makes a compelling case for the burgeoning UK country scene with her four-track EP, ‘Don’t Take It To Heart,’ released in August 2025. Blending the emotional depth of traditional country storytelling with a vibrant, modern pop sensibility, Marie positions herself as a relatable voice for a new generation of listeners.
Artist Information: Hailing from Bristol, Ellie Marie is a self-taught pop-country singer-songwriter known for fusing the energy of Nashville with a uniquely British honesty. Her music delves into the relatable experiences of life, love, and heartbreak, establishing her as an artist who writes for “the late-night thinkers, the long driver dreamers, and anyone who has ever had to walk away.” She is heavily influenced by powerful women in music, citing Shania Twain and Taylor Swift as key inspirations—a lineage evident in her balance of raw emotion and commercial appeal. Her debut EP, ‘No Need For Words,’ released earlier in January 2025, marked her arrival, but ‘Don’t Take It To Heart’ solidifies her immense talent and potential within the genre. The EP’s core theme revolves around “love, heartbreak, and holding onto who you are through it all.”
‘Don’t Take It To Heart’ is a brief but potent collection, clocking in at just over 13 minutes, yet it leaves a lasting impression with its lush production, notably featuring a beautiful, traditional pedal steel guitar that grounds her sound in the American South, even as her lyrics hit close to home in the UK.
Track-by-Track Review
1. Rock Bottom (3:18)
The EP kicks off with the lead single, “Rock Bottom,” a track that perfectly encapsulates Ellie Marie’s signature style. Lyrically, it tackles the gut-punch moment of seeing an ex with someone new and confronting the lingering pain of the breakup. The lyric “rock bottom is missing you” is a striking, relatable line that defines the track’s emotional core. However, this sadness is juxtaposed masterfully with an upbeat, commercial country-pop melody. The music provides an energetic, foot-tapping beat that prevents the song from dwelling in misery, instead offering a sense of forward-motion defiance. Marie’s vocal delivery has an appealing sincerity, carrying the sadness with a subtle, confident “wink” that suggests resilience. It’s a radio-ready anthem of hurt packaged in a genuinely pleasurable listen.
2. Living For (3:05)
“Living For” shifts the EP’s focus to the tenderness of a strong relationship. It’s a gentle, intimate nod to a special other, exploring the commitment and simple joys found in a deep connection—”Loving you is what I’m living for.” The production here is softer, creating a “dreamy” atmosphere. One reviewer likened it to the feeling of “sea water washing over the beach,” a tranquil, beautiful moment. It’s the most straightforward “love song” on the collection, showcasing Marie’s ability to convey profound intimacy without losing the engaging structure of her pop-country sound. The track serves as a lovely moment of reflection amidst the heartbreak themes elsewhere on the EP.
3. Without You (2:42)
Moving swiftly back into a faster tempo, “Without You” is the shortest track and is instantly catchy with a pronounced, driving beat. This song is an embrace of assurance and self-belief in the wake of a relationship’s end. It’s a faster track that screams live-show energy, designed to get an audience moving and singing along. The lyrical content is direct and confident—a statement of personal strength, with lines like “Maybe you think I’m out of line / it’s true” speaking of an unapologetic step into independence. Its commercial appeal is undeniable, making it a strong contender for country radio airplay, emphasizing Marie’s “no-cares attitude” and self-empowerment.
4. Don’t Take It To Heart (3:36)
The title track concludes the EP on a high note, embracing a whimsical, swaggering confidence. Beginning with a light acoustic intro, the song blasts into life, reflecting the sentiment of the title—an energetic dismissal of negativity and an embracing of life’s freedom. The country swagger is most evident here, especially in the mid-section, drawing comparisons to the empowering sentiment of Taylor Swift’s ‘Shake It Off.’ It’s the sound of the ‘Bristolian Cowgirl’ riding off into the sunset, comfortable and smiling about her journey. The song acts as the final resolution to the EP’s arc of heartbreak and recovery, perfectly bookending the collection with a message of resolution and inner peace.
Conclusion
‘Don’t Take It To Heart’ is a testament to Ellie Marie’s promise as a distinctive voice in UK Country Music. The EP is a masterclass in modern country-pop, balancing emotionally vulnerable lyrics with vibrant, high-energy production. By utilizing a “luscious pedal steel” alongside strong pop hooks, she has created a sound that is both authentic to country tradition and accessible to a wide audience. At just four songs, the EP is short, but its concise strength leaves the listener wanting more, marking it as a bright highlight in the new wave of British country. Ellie Marie is a force, and this EP is the clear proof.