The Digital Outhouse

Emmy the Great covering Rita Skeeter’s “End of the World”.

Loveliest thing in the world.

Bold and endearing, First Love, the first full-length release from London based band Emmy The Great is a wonderful foray into the ecstasy and torment of, well, first loves. Though this may be the bands first official debut, this is by no means an amateur’s offering. A slew of emotions are highlighted throughout the album, from the paralyzing fear of a false pregnancy to bittersweet praises of hallelujah; no sentiment lays untouched. The simple, yet elegant guitar chords and light percussion accents front-woman Emma Lee Moss’ voice beautifully, working together to produce an enchantingly real sound. What emerges is a sincere attempt to describe one of the most complex aspects of humanity, love.

First Love plays much like a movie, with track one standing in as the opening scene. Absentee, sets the tone of the album, revealing a separation from a former love. Subtle hints of past memories are revealed through lyrics such as “an old pair of shoes, the last place they were left, out by the door where they always were kept” and help to remind of a life now long gone. Reoccurring references to church and religion explain some of the coping mechanisms a scarred heart finds solace in during difficult times. In subsequent tracks, Moss eloquently declares: “I’m sorry that you happened to me” and “One man is the accident the other is the hand that stops the blood”. Each line delves further into the emotional roller coaster ride of falling in and out of love. By the end of the album we find that our protagonist has come full circle as she reveals, “I am glad to be awake, glad to be with you”. Again, just like a movie, we find an ending filled with a sense of accomplishment and growth, an ending anyone can enjoy and relate to.

While Emmy The Great’s debut album may not top the record industry music charts, many listeners will still be drawn to them by the sheer simplicity of their beautiful folk sounds, and will no doubt find themselves coming back for more and more.  Like a young child’s first date, there is something awkward, yet innocently captivating amongst the tracks found on this album. First Love is by no means a perfect album, but as often is the case, these imperfections only make the listening experience that much better.