REVIEW: "Everybody Talks" by Eaves Wilder
WRITTEN BY ANNE TILLEY
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Eavie Paphides, better known as Eaves Wilder, returns to the spotlight with her latest single, “Everybody Talks.” This marks the first release in two years for the London-born 22-year-old. Wilder signed with Secretly Canadian as a teenager in 2020, hooking listeners with her ethereal vocals. She released her debut EP Hookey in 2023, followed by singles “Better Together,” “Free Fall,” and a stunning rendition of Blur’s Britpop classic “She’s So High.”
“Everybody Talks” is certainly a departure from Wilder’s previous work, yet it manages to retain the unique trademarks of her original sound. The track contains the same elements of shoegaze and dream pop as her younger work, harkening comparisons to early Jesus and Mary Chain or Cocteau Twins. However, “Everybody Talks” provides a fresh sense of urgency, surging forward with an increasing tempo that eventually builds to an explosive, anthemic chorus. Wilder mesmerizes listeners with her breathy, Grimes-esque vocal performance as she repeats the song’s simple yet memorable refrain: “everybody talks.”
In her own words, Wilder writes,“ [i]t seems like the whole world is just full of people chatting shit and fighting. I wanted to write something that felt relentless - like it was almost too much. Because that’s how it feels right now.”
Wilder’s writing speaks to a world filled with far too much noise, jam-packed with a seemingly relentless outflow of anger and hatred. Drowned out in a cacophony of outrage, it seems futile to even get a word in (“I can’t hear my thoughts/ I have none at all). Wilder’s rhythmic delivery creates a tone that feels almost manic, while simultaneously infinitely upbeat and catchy. The lyrics’ repetitiveness effectively emulates the mundanity of living in a perpetual state of overstimulation.
“Everybody Talks” is a sign of the times, echoing society’s dissatisfaction without bogging down listeners with negativity. Wilder’s ability to transform such a dark, universal sentiment into a bright tune demonstrates her unique talent. When glancing at her discography, “Everybody Talks” indicates a period of transformation for the young Wilder, growing into her own voice while staying true to the trademarks that originally defined her sound.