Sequin, Soul and City Streets: Elise LeGrow Takes a Swanky Jaunt Through Toronto

Earlier this month, Elise LeGrow flexed her "muscular, yet tempered voice" (Okayplayer) over the lilted swing of "Rescue Me." Today, she debuts the new single's spellbinding music video, a sensuous, solitary journey through Toronto's urban wonderland.  

Through glistening sequin, a gravelly growl, and a trust in the city's late-night haze, she offsets the song's hook with style and grace. Watch the "impressive interpretation" on PopMatters.

On her forthcoming debut, 'Playing Chess' (out 2/16 via S-Curve), Elise resurrects the legendary Chess Records catalog, reimagining seminal music with a contemporary relevance, and thus reflecting a new generation freed from the confines of age and time.

Of "Rescue Me," Elise says, "Our reinterpretation is sparse and mellow, which really brings out the wistfulness in the lyric. But it manages to be a bit cheeky and sexy too. I think the same can be said of the video."

'Playing Chess' features The Roots, The Dap-Kings, and Betty Wright, in addition to production by the same Grammy winners behind Joss Stone's 12-million-selling 'Soul Sessions.' She's been busy on international TV lately, appearing on the season premiere of BBC's 'Later...with Jools Holland' to perform a mesmerizing rendition of Chuck Berry's "You Never Can Tell" alongside LCD Soundsystem and Liam Gallagher. 

Praise for Elise LeGrow

"dreamy and velvety...the singer's innovative arrangement makes for a delicate piece of music that LeGrow fosters as her own, creating her personal vision and story." - Billboard, on "You Never Can Tell"

"Her voice is suited to singing the emotional complexities of the genre with its natural richness and tone." - MOJO

"Smoldering...a muscular, yet tempered voice" - Okayplayer

"new arrangements that shine a fascinating, instructive light on these classic compositions." - Relix

"Simple, restrained and soulful, it's quite the performance." - Clash, on "You Never Can Tell"