Emma Louise surprised fans last month when she unveiled the first track off her new project Lilac Everything, which sees the acclaimed Australian Singer/Songwriter take on something of an alter-ego (who she called “Joseph”). This was made possible as first time producer (and musical master in his own right) Tobias Jesso Jnr. took the pitch down on her vocals to make her almost unrecognisable at first glance. And now we have the second tease from the album, the remarkable “Mexico”, which makes our single of the day.
The song has all the elements we’ve come to love out of an Emma Louise track; her vocals, even with the effects that create her alter-ego of sorts, still create a beautiful, emotive atmosphere, while the music takes us on a journey of its own.
Here’s what Emma has to say about the track: “I wrote half of this song when I was sad in Melbourne and the other half when I was having a great time in Mexico. I think it’s a good introduction to the album. It starts off as what could end up being a ballad and then explodes into something different and colourful and full of surprises. It has that light and shade element that the rest of Lilac Everything has.”
It’s interesting to read her statement above after listening to the track, as you can definitely hear that contrast between isolation and exultation; that feeling of relief when you escape the place that’s keeping you down and end up somewhere new and exciting. There’s a sense of Paul Simon’s Graceland about it – that experimentation with a different style of music that serves as the undercurrent for the second half of the track, which really makes it something you want to dance to.
Louise seems to indicate that the track kicks off the record, which seems to be a great move tonally and musically – I for one can’t wait to hear the rest of it! Check the song out for yourself, and get excited (and maybe even book that ticket to Mexico you’ve always wanted to…). This may just be her best material yet.
Lilac Everything: A Project By Emma Louise is out Friday 14 September through Liberation Records. For more details, head to her Facebook Page.
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