The Late Review: Paranormal Activity with EMA

       

        I am always late for everything and i take my time looking into the vast ocean of music. To effectively filter through endless posts of the blogosphere it makes sense to soak in it before you speak. Another day, another million artists being called the next big hype and EMA's first record, Past Life Martyred Saints, was one of the most blogged about names in 2011 thus far to slide into such a category.

        Erika M Anderson has learned well. Trained under the tutelage of female sonic sorcery from such legendary spell casters as PJ Harvey, Liz Phair, Kim Deal, and Karen O. Her shades of influence offer epic tracks with some loose lyrical meandering that grow in potency as she swings her axe into adventurous melodies of feedback grunge meets gothic style arrangements.

         The stand out tracks “Milkman” and “Grey Ship” showcases her gritty prowess fusing Helium era fuzz rock with industrial beats.

 

On occasion u feel the musical montage of early Solex alongside the long lost chorus pedal last seen in a relevant application during the opening riff to Nirvana's "Come as you are".

"Grey ship" is minimal but deeper into the record you find haunts that sound like a circle of witches singing chants of dark worship drenched in steel factory noise and a thick smog of breathy vocals.

        Erika is at her most powerful when she is blending and bending the very essence of her classic influences. When she weaves tightly spun songs that avoid getting lost in pools of noise and free association all is right with the world. Jupiter aligns with Mars and the moons tide washes away any chance of audience disconnect. The natural maturation process will help her craft her inner freak on a consistent level of dark beauty. A white trashed distortion queen that is dangerous, powerful, and one to watch for sure.

EMA-Grey Ship.Mp3