Few bands in Australia work as hard as Emma Volard does. Over the last 12 months, Emma and her band have developed into an act of noticeable talent and tenacity. Volard’s performative progression has zeroed in on not only the improvisational and technical skill of her band, but also the power of her voice and her lyricism. The band’s tasteful use of their inalienable jazz, boom-bap and neo-soul influences both on and off the stage have rendered Emma Volard one of Melbourne’s (dare I say… Australia’s?) tightest and most electrifying acts. 

On latest single ‘Respire’, Volard has never sounded better. She employs a charming restraint to her voice throughout, allowing for the rhythmic and compositional prowess of the track to shine through in equal measure to her vocal performance. The influence of co-writer Harry Leggatt is audible and compelling. It’s a beautifully produced track (thanks Moses Carr) with wonderfully eclectic instrumentation - from arpeggiated synth lines to a horn section to jaw-dropping harmonies - all afforded their own space in the mix. When the track shifts gear to a more intense, driving feel, this is delightfully apparent. By the time the horns kick in to compliment the harmony-rich-hook of “you can’t change the path of love…” you’ll be wanting to dance and float away all at once. Keep an ear out for those closing harmonies. They’re awesome.

Emma says this of the equally impressive accompanying video clip: “throughout the video you get to peer through the doorway of a person who is battling their demons. I feel incredibly lucky to have worked with dancer Lukas White, who was able to show the desperation and the metamorphosis of this character through his movement.” Videographer Jack Stafford does well to bring to life visually the thematic elements so present in Volard’s music. There’s a feeling of claustrophobia to the clip, with subtle film-noir influences sprinkled amongst typeface lyrics and arresting dance. The whole thing feels honest, raw, and true to Volard’s style and talent. 

‘Respire’ is the result of one of Melbourne’s most hardworking musicians honing in on her ability to write and perform a song unlike very few others. It’s an awesome song and video clip. My hope for Emma and the band is that they come out of the other side of these uncertain times with as much momentum and enthusiasm as this wonderful track suggests that they ought to.