We’ve all been there. You pick up your phone for “just five minutes,” and before you know it, it’s well past midnight, you’ve watched countless videos, refreshed the same apps repeatedly, and somehow accomplished absolutely nothing. That all-too-familiar reality sits at the heart of Ornella’s new three-track project, “Bags,” a refreshingly honest release that captures the emotional side of life in the digital age.
Rather than writing another collection of songs about picture-perfect romance, the Perth singer-songwriter turns her attention to something many people experience every day but rarely hear reflected in pop music. Bags explores social media addiction, self-doubt, overthinking, and the exhausting pressure of constantly comparing yourself to everyone else online.
The title track wastes no time pulling listeners into that world. Built on infectious pop-rock energy, “Bags” pairs catchy melodies with a surprisingly relatable story about endless scrolling and the pursuit of tiny dopamine hits that never quite satisfy. It’s upbeat enough to keep you moving while quietly holding up a mirror to habits many of us would rather ignore. The award-winning music video adds another creative layer, using surreal visuals and an unforgettable alter ego to capture the feeling of being trapped inside the endless cycle of digital overload.
The emotional journey deepens with “Edge Of A Cliff,” where Ornella shifts the focus inward. Here, she explores the weight of overthinking, broken friendships, and the lingering fear that something invisible is preventing personal growth. The song balances vulnerability with soaring melodies, creating an anthem for anyone who’s ever felt stuck inside their own thoughts.
Closing the project is “Fall To Your Knees,” the EP’s most intimate moment. Trading some of the pop energy for folk-inspired textures featuring banjo and harmonica, Ornella delivers an honest reflection on people-pleasing, identity, and the quiet anxiety of feeling left behind while everyone else appears to be thriving. The gradual build toward its emotional finale gives the song a powerful sense of release, ending the trilogy on a heartfelt and memorable note.
What makes Bags so effective is Ornella’s willingness to be brutally honest without becoming overly heavy. Her songwriting never feels preachy or self-pitying. Instead, she writes with warmth, wit, and self-awareness, allowing listeners to laugh at their habits one moment before quietly recognising themselves in the next.
Having already earned recognition through songwriting competitions, festival performances, and support slots alongside Australian artists including Shannon Noll, Ornella continues to establish herself as a distinctive voice in Australia’s indie-pop landscape. Bags feels like a significant creative step forward, showcasing greater maturity while maintaining the catchy songwriting that first introduced many listeners to her music.
In a world obsessed with filters, notifications, and endless scrolling, Bags offers something refreshingly real. It’s an honest soundtrack for anyone who’s ever lost themselves online while trying to figure themselves out offline.
With ‘Bags,’ Ornella transforms the anxieties of modern digital life into an irresistibly catchy and emotionally insightful trilogy
