Reine Orelia just dropped her new EP “Please Be Impressed” and it’s one of those records that is personal without trying too hard to say it. It’s soft, a bit dreamy, but also honest in a way that sticks with you after the first listen.
The EP opens with “Purposeful”, and straight away it pulls you in. It’s catchy and the chorus lands nicely and the synth work is really clean. There’s a lot going on in the background if you listen closely. Her voice is soft and easy, almost floating over the instrumental. The lyrics touch on that pressure to always be doing something meaningful, which feels very real, especially now.
“The Very Best” is probably one of the strongest moments on the EP. The instrumentation is richer here, fuller somehow, and the melodies are just really nice to sit with. There’s something about the way she delivers the vocals. It’s confident but also a bit soft. The song is about chasing perfection and tying your worth to it. The chorus is memorable and stays in your head longer than expected.
Then “The Void” shifts things a bit. The vibe changes, not completely, but enough to notice. The sound design is different. It fits the theme of losing structure and meaning, like things are falling apart but also opening up at the same time. The hook is still strong though and her delivery stays smooth and controlled.
“Lifecycles” brings things back into a softer rhythm. It has a nice flow. The melody is simple and her vocals really stand out here. She has that kind of pop voice that sounds pure and works well with the message about growth and change happening again and again. It’s one of those tracks that feels easy but still meaningful.
Closing track “Empty Cup” keeps things simple and polished. The production is professional, the instrumentation is well crafted, the tone is soft, and it ends the EP in a great way. There’s a sense of letting go here, which feels like the right way to finish this kind of journey.
This EP was an amazing experience from start to finish. The sound sits somewhere between synth-pop and something a bit more dreamy, maybe even slightly cinematic at times. Her melodies are strong across the whole project and her voice really carries everything in a smooth way.
We really enjoyed this one. It’s simple, but not boring. Emotional, but not heavy. Reine Orelia has a unique sound, and more importantly, she knows how to use it without overcomplicating things. This EP is like a step forward, and honestly, we’re curious to hear where she goes next.
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Reine Orelia is a Franco-British, Paris-based artist crafting cinematic synth-pop built around strong melodic writing, layered synthesizers and expansive arrangements. After spending eight formative years immersed in Montreal’s independent music scene between 2014 and 2022, releasing music, collaborating with local artists and gradually developing her skills as a producer, she returned to Paris in 2022 with a clearer artistic vision and a growing confidence in her own musical instincts.
In the spring of 2025, Reine Orelia began work on what would become Please Be Impressed, a self-produced EP and the first body of work she considers a true artistic statement after nearly a decade of experimentation. The record blends psych-rock textures, lush 80s synth pop and ethereal vocal styles, drawing inspiration from artists such as Beach House, Kate Bush, Tame Impala, Pond, GUM, Tears for Fears, Depeche Mode & Alphaville.
Released on May 15th, 2026, the EP is accompanied by a short film, directed by Briac Cramer and produced by Reine Orelia, in which each song forms a chapter of a larger narrative. Inspired by what Reine Orelia describes as her “cave years”, the film retraces the deeply introspective decade of her twenties, moving through themes of ambition, ego, collapse and renewal. Together, the music and visuals explore the process of turning inward before emerging into a new chapter, as Reine prepares to step beyond those years of reflection and into a more outward-facing phase of life and creativity.
