Ness Heads Champions Dynamic New Track, “Pull Me Up”
Photo Courtesy of Ness Heads
Rapper and songwriter Vanessa Ortiz is the Chicago native and Latinx artist behind Ness Heads. Since the release of her first single, “Flip ‘Em,” in 2018, Ortiz decided to pursue music and recording full-time. From the influence of hip-hop at her childhood home in West Humboldt Park, she has expanded out and tied in alternative rock and punk into the melting pot while singing and rapping over unique beats.
Ortiz begins with rapid-fire half spoken words in “Pull Me Up,” the first vulnerable single off of her upcoming EP, Numb. Reflecting the rising culmination between these multiple genres, the song is interspliced with a slightly slower chorus which breaks the quick background beat only for a moment. She addresses the fear of falling in love again, having a broken heart, and the demons that can grow internally.
The sound of a car failing to start heads up prior single “Freakshow”— featuring Chicago artist, musician, and filmmaker Jean Deaux— which is subsequently followed by a warping synth. Ortiz’s smooth melodic voice drops with a thick electronic beat, while Deaux’s voice trails along seamlessly, distinct yet complimentary to Ortiz’s deeper sound. The lyrics touch on topics related to inner evils, rising highs, and crashing lows.
Diverging from the rap-heavy influences found in other songs, “Paper Town” starts swinging with Ortiz’s lilting voice, a soft song that flows pristinely between sweet vocals and the trembling chords of the guitar. She sings of feelings she cannot deny, and what must be the source of her difficulties: a paper town.
Putting an emphasis on a disciplined work ethic, her time and long hours are now paying off. Ness Heads has come out of the gate strong. NPR— who named her one of the Chicago Hip-Hop and R&B Artists to Watch in 2019— has highlighted her tracks published earlier this year, while Soundcloud has featured her alongside Billie Eilish and Flipp Dinero.
Be sure to check out Ness Heads’ new EP, Numb, which premiers later this month on October 25th.
