Emma Louise is an Australian vocalist and songwriter that is best known for her song, Jungle, which can be found on her debut EP, Full Hearts and Empty Rooms. The track was memorably remixed by renowned German DJ and producer, Wankelmut. Louise went on to include this version in her studio album, vs Head vs Heart, in 2013. While this song served as my introduction to Emma Louise, and a wonderful introduction at that, her song, Boy which also features on vs Head vs Heart, is by far my favourite.
Louise has a beautifully effortless vocal and that is what makes her so soothing to listen to. The melody of this song is both striking and subtle, and this is a rare combination. Lyrically, the song is unique and creative. It tells the story of the object of the singer’s affections, the things that she recognises in him, and his commitment to doing very little with them. It is the romantic picture of a boy who may be rough around the edges, but in whom the singer sees capacity for so much more. This speaks to the rarity of finding genuine connections with people and the subsequent responsibility of nurturing or pursuing them. Perhaps it’s inspired by something different, or evokes a different emotion in other listeners, but that is precisely what I like about this song and this style of writing.
The song features a strong guitar rhythm as the driving force. This is complimented by various electronic elements and airy vocal edits. The song changes its pace during the bridge, leading listeners to stop and listen. Following the bridge, a strong 80’s style synth makes an appearance and adds a fresh and unexpected element to the track. These elements lift Boy out of the realm of background music, which is a danger with sounds as soothing and gentle as these, and into a song that is both captivating and easy to listen to.
With Boy and Jungle in mind, it is exciting to think about the future of Emma Louise’s career. She is definitely an artist to watch.
