Emmrose | Ballad for the Boy Next Door (Single)
By Justin Christopher Poulin, and Jen Ho Contributors
Justin
"Ballad for the Boy Next Door" showcases 60's inspired balladry with hushed, layered vocals that one might hear from a Angel Olsen or a Lana Del Rey cut. However, that 60's feel really manifests on "The Grass Was Greener" with tremelo-laden guitars, understated chorus vocals, and reverb treatment on Emmrose's lead vocal delivery. Between the two, I do prefer the dynamics on "Grass Was Greener" over the more even-keeled "Ballad." Nevertheless, both tracks are quite pleasant sounding and tap into that listlessness and longing many of us have found under lockdown. It's indie pop with a slight hint of country flair that evokes the smells of thrift stores and coffee shops. I think there's room for growth in Emmrose's writing (leaning hard on influences at times, occasionally repetitive vocal phrasing), but I also see a lot of potential in an artist so early in her career.
Jen
Emmrose’s ability to command and ache moments at impactful moments is well beyond her years. She displays tactful musicianship, and dynamically soars in all the right places with patient steadiness in the likes of Birdy. The real star is the production work by the ever-so-fantastic Michael Abriuso who, particularly in his work on the drums, keeps “The Grass Was Greener” pushing its climax to the edge with a stirring energy familiar in rock, hitting an almost scream-like emotive release through his ability to really hone Emmrose’s sound as if they’ve been collaborating for decades. It was a solid single and I hope to see how Emmrose grows from here.