- Creating a concept album is a tricky task to master. Usually only attempted by artists with huge cult followings who could do no wrong to their besotted fans; as a side endeavor by a more mainstream act; or by small, unheard-of bands who weren’t planning on selling any records anyway. The concept album is a surefire way to create controversial opinions when done by a middle of the road, middle of their career type of artist. Have I got you worried? Don't be, Emma Louise has certainly delivered on her third record, which is one of these magical creations – and the concept? A full-length album that features her usually soft, and trill vocals artificially pitched down to imitate that of a more masculine voice.
The opening track Wish You Well hits you with its unfaltering beauty right from the first note – a simple piano backing lets you bask in the ethereality of the foreign voice before soaring across registers into an uplifting yet bittersweet chorus. Her regular vocal pitch layered behind the main melody makes for the perfect harmony, creating the kind of natural texture that would otherwise be impossible to duplicate.
The songwriting on this record is much more polished and mature than anything we have heard from Louise in the past – songs are tinged with blues and jazz influences, a far departure from the electro-pop sounds of her 2016 record Supercry, however, her clever melodies and memorable phrases are still front and centre, waiting to get stuck in your head on repeat. However, instead of being an uplifting pre-party bop, they’re the kind of melodies that you want to listen to as you cry yourself to sleep at night – the gut-wrenching rawness of it all just becomes almost too much at times.
It’s not only the unusual vocals that create such a distinct sonic atmosphere throughout Emma Louise’s work, but also the unfamiliar instrumentation that features on almost every track. From the bouncing organ in Falling Apart, to the haunting horns on Shadowman, the jaunty Cajun drum on Gentleman and the squeaking doors on When It Comes To You, each track is a musical journey, constantly making you question the sounds that greet your ears, yet reveling in the undeniably perfect selection of each and every one. It makes you feel as if you are in some kind of indirect narrative – one that is more telling of real life rather than a crafted story.
Lilac Everything may divide in terms of popularity, but you cannot deny it is an extraordinary body of work and it explores boundaries not usually crossed in contemporary pop music. A bold and stunning record from Emma Louise; this is one that will have you reaching for the tissues whilst questioning everything you once thought to be true.
- Olivia Shoesmith.