Cillë - , but you can call me silly! - EP Album Review - Pop-rock from New York City, USA
Today I am writing about my discovery of a Danish-born, New York City-based artist, Cillë, and her latest EP; , but you can call me silly!, released recently on the 25th of August, 2025.
First and foremost, to me, but you can call me silly! is a pop-rock album that incorporates both modern and traditional elements of the genre, performed in a rock band setting by professionals and led by the vocalist, Cillë, who not only contributes with her voice but gives the entire work its identity. During each of my listening experiences so far, I ended up with positive emotions. It takes almost no effort for the album to resonate with the listener - and when that happens, it’s never a coincidence. The work stands out for its commercial value, rich production, industry-standard sound, familiar musical blend, and live-performing energy. But let me go into some more details.
Musically, the album reminded me of acclaimed names such as Avril Lavigne, Lady Gaga, and Pink, while keeping in mind that not all the songs belong to the same period (some were released as singles on different dates). In the end, I got the impression that Cillë is moving toward a direction where she embraces more modern pop and electronic influences in her music - which suits her well. As a fan of Lady Gaga, I felt a strong resemblance in the opening track Neon Trooper, especially in the intro where synths play behind the vocals, as well as in Cillë’s singing style itself. Nevertheless, her band does not abandon the principle of being a live-performing rock unit; in fact, rather making it a foundation of her music.
Furthermore, the album’s production, with its international standards and commercially rich sound, qualifies it as a great-sounding release in my opinion. Surprisingly, I found myself sharing much in common with the producer’s approach to how this kind of music should be recorded. It sounds lively and real because it captures live performances with a careful balance between rawness and overly processed - even though bass, keys, and rhythm guitars were all performed by the same person, Benjamin Hull. Looking at the final result, the album clearly aims for a radio-friendly pop-rock sound with catchy vocals and entertainment value.
On the other side of the coin, if the artist weren’t identifying herself as a professional, but rather just making art for personal reasons, there would be no debate about the outcome. However, I don’t think that’s the case here. When I look at Cillë and her ambitions, I would just say keep on doing what you love. Nevertheless, if I were to offer her a tip or two, I’d share these thoughts.
While the work in general checks out as a successful album, I still believe the real breakthrough will come once Cillë acknowledges that the only element that can take this music further is her vocals. The significance of such music lies in a world expressed through the human voice. In but you can call me silly!, we hear a vocalist who acts as a band member rather than fully leading it - entirely understandable, but also questionable. From my own experiences, I know the vocals are the one element where everything else exists in service. From now on, she will be asked to perform everywhere, in every setting, and expected to win crowds with her voice and presence.
In conclusion, but you can call me silly! is a promising step forward for Cillë, offering an entertaining pop-rock sound that combines modern energy with nostalgic roots, distinguished by its story and language. While the band chemistry is strong, her voice will ultimately decide how far this music travels. Thank you for reading.
