EP: Emmy The Great 'S' - GigslutzGigslutz

Rating:

Emmy The Great finally returns a couple of years after the critically acclaimed Virtue, with a beguiling four track EP that demonstrates a less introspective take on her art.

‘Swimming Pool’ is achingly cool and contemporary featuring Wild Beasts’ Tom Fleming, who delivers an opposing deep vocal to the swirling and dreamy pop riff. Its beautifully constructed with an array of styles and instrumentals dancing in and out while Emmy delivers a flawless vocal.

‘Social Halo’ shares that same atmospheric quality and seems to show Emmy in a more spirited and romantic mood than in the previous long player, and this belief and optimism is aided by proficient and crashing guitars in this this tale about time spent in New York. Indeed, Emmy demonstrates her songwriting skills in this song and reminds us what an absorbing raconteur she is too.

‘Solar Panels’ takes us to the West Coast of the US and is the most surprising song on this release. It is the largest leap from the folksy roots that have been the foundation of the London-based singer songwriter’s work to date. In fact, it wouldn’t be out of place on a Jessie Ware album and is an accomplished modern piece of electro-pop that only cements the view that this is an artist that understands modern music, and who can turn her talented hands to pretty much anything. A view enhanced by the sober ballad ‘Somerset (I Can’t Get Over)’, which shows off her literary interest but avoids being smug and pretentious as Emmy narrates a break up story amid another vast atmospheric backdrop.

Among the trillions of singer songwriters out there at the moment, Emmy The Great offers something a bit different – able to drift effortlessly between the earnest, the quirky and the charming, and it’s an incredibly engaging journey. The direction of the rest of the album – when released – should be fascinating and one to wait impatiently for this year.

S is out now via Bella Union.