There's a rare kind of timeless maturity in Brisbane singer-songwriter Emma Louise's vocals on "Talk Baby Talk", a single from her second album Supercry (2016). If you had not heard of her before, you might be surprised to learn that she's only 25. But success came early to Louise, who won a state-wide songwriter's prize at 16, and earned widespread recognition in 2011 due to the popularity of her hit single "Jungle".
But things have not been entirely smooth sailing for Louise since the release of her debut album Vs Head Vs Heart (2013). Widespread recognition came with additional scrutiny and pressure, which stifled Louise's creative spirit and rendered her incapable of recording music for two years:
"With that album I had such a different mindset to now, I was very judgmental and critical of myself. It wasn't a very pleasurable thing to release and record it, it was painful [...] Before, I'd had my confidence whittled away from me. I didn't surround myself with people that nurtured my creative beast, they stifled it, they made it scared, and when I went over there with Pascal [Gabriel] he was like, 'Come out', and I wasn't afraid to grow."
Emma Louise, Rolling Stone Australi
Music listeners worldwide can certainly rejoice that Louise is bring back her brand of confessional minimalism to the table, anchored by the singular firmness in her delicate, fragile voice. The song's lyrics are basically self-explanatory, exploring Louise's deep frustration at being unable to communicate with a lover to solve the problems that threaten to end their relationship:
'So this is really it this time? No more dramas in our lifeYou sealed it with a kiss on my lips, on my forehead, and I cryAnd we pushed it up hill, baby push, baby pushBaby pushed it up hill as far as we couldNow we're rollin' down sour, sour baby, sourYeah, rollin' down sour rightBut why can't we just talk about it?We used to be such good friendsOh we used to be such good friendsNow all we do is fightAnd all I wanna do is talk all nightBaby talk all night, Baby talk all nightBaby talk all night, Baby talk all nightBaby talk all night, Baby talk allWhy can't we just talk about it?'
Lyrics: Genius.com
The instrumentation (piano, guitar rhythms and drums) is minimal and effect, with Gabriel relying on occassional electronic samples to evoke Louise's angst at being unable to do anything to save the relationship. Louise avoids melodrama or outright rage, opting instead for subtle disenchantment as she reminisces about happier days and her unfulfilled desire for a productive heart-to-heart session. The catchy melody and radio-friendly lyrics make for a well-crafted, cathartic and accessible indie pop portrait of modern heartbreak.
