Music / Album Review
Album Review: Rapture by Emily Breeze – ‘A sprawling, epic of an album’
Rapture is the third album from Emily Breeze, the Bristol based pop-noir artist. Released via Sugar Shack Records on February 10, the album follows Breeze’s 2019 debut album, Ritual.
Written and recorded in the singer’s 40th year, she describes the album as a “collection of coming-of (middle) age stories which celebrate flamboyant failure, excess and acceptance.”
This is seen from the off with the first track, Ordinary Life, encapsulating what it means to have aged without realising it. With her usual witty lyrics and deadpan tone, it’s no surprise the single spent four weeks on BBC Radio 6’s playlist and featured as one of our top tracks for 2022.
is needed now More than ever
The album features heavy guitars throughout, serving as a backdrop to her razor-sharp lyrics, many songs can be described as anthems.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CnCEQWhoH8G/?hl=en
In particular, Dance with Rats, the speaking-singing sound Breeze inacts with an electric melody creates a grandiose feel that is reminiscent of the likes of LCD Soundsystem.
Breeze invokes absurdist imagery throughout – one such lyric goes “Princess Diana went undercover; she works at Anne Summers she wears a disguise” – as she weaves humour alongside sorrow.
The singer and the listener are closely woven as we are taken along on the singers journey, from embracing herself in Confessions Of An Ageing Party Girl to a look at cosmology and science in Chelsea Satanist. The introspective work from Breeze allows us to look at ourselves as well – there is no shame, only pride.
A sprawling, epic of an album that deserves all the glory.
Tickets are now on sale for Emily Breeze’s album launch party at All Hallows Hall on March 11.
Tickets can be found at hdfst.uk/E81629
Main photo: Emily Breeze
Read next:
- Emily Breeze: ‘I swear I am gonna quit every few years’
- Interview: Emily Breeze
- Best of Bristol Releases 2022
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