Melbourne singer-songwriter Shani Weiss has opened a window into the human soul. On 13 November 2025, at The Toff in Town, she celebrated her 40th birthday and a landmark moment in her career with the release of “All About Life,” a six-track folk-rock collection that feels like a warm conversation with a lifelong friend. If Shani Weiss is new to you, here’s your introduction: She’s a storyteller, a melody weaver, and a fearless observer of life’s intricate emotional landscape. Her rich, textured, and expressive voice carries strength and vulnerability in equal measure, making each lyric land like it was meant just for you. She has a rare ability to take the universal (love, family, friendship, heartbreak) and make it feel intimate, raw, and profoundly human. Here’s a track-by-track reflection of the EP.
Opening with a gentle strum and understated percussion, the title track, “All About Life,” sets the reflective, warm, and inviting tone. Weiss’s vocals are tender yet firm, guiding you into a meditation on life’s fleeting moments. The song feels like a manifesto for the EP: relationships matter more than achievements, and presence is the most precious gift we can give. The instrumentation is understated folk-rock—guitars, soft keys, and a subtle rhythmic heartbeat that allows her voice to take center stage.
A contemplative exploration of duality in relationships, the second track, “In Two,” captures the push and pull of intimacy. Weiss’s delivery shifts smoothly between vulnerability and strength, mirroring the tension in her lyrics. Acoustic guitar intertwines with understated percussion, creating a sense of movement that mirrors emotional compromise. This track leaves you reflecting on how we balance giving and receiving in love.
Going forward, “Rules Don’t Apply” celebrates breaking free from societal expectations. Weiss’s voice here is playful yet grounded, conveying empowerment without arrogance. The production introduces richer layers—electric guitar flourishes, subtle harmonies, and percussion that drive forward with light but insistent momentum. It’s a declaration that relationships, like life, require authenticity above all else.
Arguably the most emotionally raw track on the EP, “What’s Left” dives into loss, reflection, and the lingering impact of past connections. Weiss’s delivery is haunting and tender; I could hear the lived experience behind every note. The sparse instrumentation—soft piano, gentle strings, and minimal percussion—creates an intimate space where the emotion can breathe. It’s a moment that makes you pause and truly sit with the impermanence of life.
A gentle, restorative interlude, “Breathe” is a meditation on presence and mindfulness. Weiss’s vocals float above a delicate arrangement of melodic piano notes and light percussion, each note carrying a sense of calm. The track feels like an exhale, a reminder that sometimes the deepest connections are maintained simply by being present and listening.
Closing the EP on an uplifting, almost celebratory note, “Feel Alright” is a testament to resilience and gratitude. The folk-rock instrumentation swells here—layered guitars, subtle percussion, and harmonized backing vocals reflecting a sense of community and shared experience. Weiss’s voice shines with optimism and authenticity, leaving you with a sense of hope and completion.
Throughout the EP, Shani Weiss displays a masterful command of vocal nuance. She moves effortlessly from intimate whispers to soaring declarations, making every song feel like a conversation rather than a performance. Her phrasing is natural, her timing impeccable, and her emotional honesty leaves a lasting impression.
The EP’s production is polished yet organic, preserving the warmth and immediacy of Weiss’s performances. Acoustic and electric guitars, subtle percussion, piano, and soft string arrangements create a lush but uncluttered soundscape. Every instrument feels purposeful, supporting the storytelling rather than overshadowing it. There’s a tactile intimacy to the mix—you can feel the strings, the breath in her voice, the room she’s performing in.
Listening to “All About Life” was like being held in a circle of trust, where vulnerability is strength, love is paramount, and life’s fleeting moments are worth savoring. Shani Weiss has created an emotional experience and a gentle reminder of the humanity we share. It’s rare to encounter an artist who can balance universal themes with personal resonance, and Weiss has done that with grace, warmth, and honesty. This EP is a celebration of connection, a quiet manifesto of empathy, and an invitation to embrace the relationships that shape our lives. With “All About Life,” Shani Weiss has not welcomed us into just her music; she has welcomed us into her heart.
Listen to “All About Life” on Spotify
Follow Shani Weiss here for more information
