EMA: "So Blonde"

EMA "The Future's Void" Out April 8

EMA: "Marked" Video

While maybe not our favorite track on the album, we wanted to post this great video from EMA's new album 'Past Life Martyred Saints.' It's been getting its fair share of well-deserved love in the usual niche indie-spheres, but outside of Spin Mag, it's appropriate to say that this album is still under-appreciated in the larger music realms. Would not be surprised to see this album on more than a few best of lists at year's end. EMA just posted a fantastic Daytrotter session as well.

A "Marked" single will be released in the US digitally and as a limited edition 7-inch in early December. B-side "Angelo", a new track featuring a guest verse by Mz'Gorjis of Oakland, CA's Platnum Platnum Glam Squad, will complement the gorgeously dark, breathy reverie of "Marked."

EMA - "Marked" (Daytrotter Session) by AwkwardSound2.0

EMA: "California"

[mp3] EMA: "Grey Ship"

These days, there isn't a lot of emphasis on lyrical content. Artists usually pay attention to other artists' lyrics, but, it seems that as a whole we're a hook focused, beat driven industry; almost as if we've come full circle back to the 1950's pop/single model. As Vonnegut said, "so it goes."

It's surprising then, that the first thing that caught our attention from the very blogable artist EMA (aka Erika M. Anderson formally of the excellent Gowns) were her biting verbal critiques and wailed laments. She opens with "fuck California, you made me boring" an ear grabbing opening line if we've ever heard one. Much like Dylan, Anderson speaks in images and memorable one liners, not so much crafting a narrative as encouraging the listener to create their own ideas and story lines - a concept that seems all but lost these days in mass glut of synth-heavy, blog-ready singles.

EMA's Past Life Martyred Saints drops May 10 on Souterrain Transmissions.