Music / Features
Track by Track:
Emma Shields - Emma Shields
Emma Shields - Emma Shields
On her self-titled debut EP, Emma Shields offers up a truly enchanting collection of dream-pop, pieced together over the past few years. Following its release last month through Osborne Again, Emma has kindly walked us through each track on the EP.
Although having played in a number of bands across Naarm/Melbourne over the past ten years, including Focus Group, Camry 98 and Jeffers Limit, this EP catches Emma Shields stepping out on her own for the first time. Informed by her extensive musical experience, there is a sense of self-assurance that exudes across these recordings, while also sounding fresh and adventurous. Like the old tree that adorns the EP cover, this EP is informed by past experiences with fresh growth and regrowth on the branches, an appropriate metaphor for both Emma Shields’ musical journey and also much of the lyrical content of this EP. Lying underneath the beguiling atmospherics are some deeply personal lyrics that explore the spectrum of human emotions from love and yearning to grief and loss and the many intricacies in-between.
Best classified as dream pop with a sound akin to the likes of Beach House, there is an ethereal feeling throughout the EP. Gentle and delicate, it’s a listen that feels like a slowburn and one that deserves to be taken time with; thanks to its lush and multilayered soundscapes, the EP will reward more and more with each return listen.
The opening song of the EP ‘Hearts’ has a meditative quality, based around the steady beat of the drum machine. The opening line “breathe in soft, slowly in and out”, sounds like a friend whispering to you in a vulnerable moment, reminding you that things will be okay as the synthesiser shimmers in the background. Setting the tone for the EP, ‘Hearts’ is a tender moment that continues into the next track, ‘Mind’ where Emma shows us her impressive vocal range. Although navigating a fractured relationship, the comforting instrumentation and subtle harmonies provide a sense of solidarity for the protagonist in a trying moment.
‘Midnight’ signals a shift in the EP, opening with a slightly discordant and off-kilter drum machine and synthesiser. After the first two songs being inward looking, ‘Midnight’ is instantly more outward looking, foreboding a darker moment. Though still through a personal lens, it explores the societal problem of, as Emma puts it, “entitled, creepy [men]”, a considered take on what is unfortunately a common problem for many women. Like the preceding tracks, ‘Lucy’ and ‘Fault’ are warm thoughtful moments. There is a tenderness that runs throughout each of these songs, built around cleverly compiled drum machines and gleaming keys. It is electronic music that through the way it is constructed sounds organic and natural. Spend time with each moment across this five-track EP, and although they can stand on their own, they also meld into each other creating a truly enchanting and blissful 20 minute listen.
Best classified as dream pop with a sound akin to the likes of Beach House, there is an ethereal feeling throughout the EP. Gentle and delicate, it’s a listen that feels like a slowburn and one that deserves to be taken time with; thanks to its lush and multilayered soundscapes, the EP will reward more and more with each return listen.
The opening song of the EP ‘Hearts’ has a meditative quality, based around the steady beat of the drum machine. The opening line “breathe in soft, slowly in and out”, sounds like a friend whispering to you in a vulnerable moment, reminding you that things will be okay as the synthesiser shimmers in the background. Setting the tone for the EP, ‘Hearts’ is a tender moment that continues into the next track, ‘Mind’ where Emma shows us her impressive vocal range. Although navigating a fractured relationship, the comforting instrumentation and subtle harmonies provide a sense of solidarity for the protagonist in a trying moment.
‘Midnight’ signals a shift in the EP, opening with a slightly discordant and off-kilter drum machine and synthesiser. After the first two songs being inward looking, ‘Midnight’ is instantly more outward looking, foreboding a darker moment. Though still through a personal lens, it explores the societal problem of, as Emma puts it, “entitled, creepy [men]”, a considered take on what is unfortunately a common problem for many women. Like the preceding tracks, ‘Lucy’ and ‘Fault’ are warm thoughtful moments. There is a tenderness that runs throughout each of these songs, built around cleverly compiled drum machines and gleaming keys. It is electronic music that through the way it is constructed sounds organic and natural. Spend time with each moment across this five-track EP, and although they can stand on their own, they also meld into each other creating a truly enchanting and blissful 20 minute listen.
Emma: In 2018, a group of friends were putting on a festival and encouraged me to participate, so I decided I’d try out a solo act after having played in a few bands over the years. I wrote three of the songs on this EP (‘Hearts’, ‘Mind’, and ‘Midnight’) using just the glitchy, daggy drum tracks and distinct organ sound on my newly bought Yamaha PS-20, and then got a band together. ‘Lucy’ and ‘Fault’ were born from trying to get my head around using Logic, and making the most of a Friday or Saturday night on my own. All the songs were recorded in a Preston bungalow, produced by my partner and guitarist in the ES band, Edward Lloyd (98 Camry, Focus Group, French Cut).
Hearts
This was probably the first of the tracks I wrote when starting out the solo project. It’s a processing of grief and losing someone you love unexpectedly, and the bittersweet warmth of a group of people coming together in heartbreaking circumstances.
Mind
These lyrics touch on finding the balance between being honest with yourself, and not wanting to hurt someone’s feelings. It’s often better to say what you want or need rather than avoid the truth to avoid hurting others.
Midnight
I wrote ‘Midnight’ after a fun night out that was ruined by an entitled, creepy man. It’s infuriating that almost everyone you know has their own story like this, similar or worse.
Lucy
Lucy is our family dog who my sweet Dad accidentally lost on a walk in the forest near the house I grew up in. Dad called me, devastated, one Sunday morning after not being able to find Lucy after she’d run off to chase a kangaroo. By the time I finished writing the lyrics, Lucy had thankfully been found by another couple and returned home a few days later.
Fault
‘Fault’ is about accepting responsibility and being held accountable for your actions. Some people can do some terrible things and it ultimately comes down to them, but the people around them often feel they are to blame for not having done enough. It’s a tough thing to navigate.
Hearts
This was probably the first of the tracks I wrote when starting out the solo project. It’s a processing of grief and losing someone you love unexpectedly, and the bittersweet warmth of a group of people coming together in heartbreaking circumstances.
Mind
These lyrics touch on finding the balance between being honest with yourself, and not wanting to hurt someone’s feelings. It’s often better to say what you want or need rather than avoid the truth to avoid hurting others.
Midnight
I wrote ‘Midnight’ after a fun night out that was ruined by an entitled, creepy man. It’s infuriating that almost everyone you know has their own story like this, similar or worse.
Lucy
Lucy is our family dog who my sweet Dad accidentally lost on a walk in the forest near the house I grew up in. Dad called me, devastated, one Sunday morning after not being able to find Lucy after she’d run off to chase a kangaroo. By the time I finished writing the lyrics, Lucy had thankfully been found by another couple and returned home a few days later.
Fault
‘Fault’ is about accepting responsibility and being held accountable for your actions. Some people can do some terrible things and it ultimately comes down to them, but the people around them often feel they are to blame for not having done enough. It’s a tough thing to navigate.
Emma Shields' self-titled EP is out now through Osborne Again.
