Among the anti-folk young blood, London singer-songwriter Emmy the Great is peerless for reasons both good and bad. The way she amicably interjects her musings on the failings of modern romances in her rustic, earthy sound, often by drawing allusions to made-up worlds yields messy yet endearing results. She might not be among the most articulate songwriters, but we’d be hard-pressed to find one as heartwarming. She might indulge in overwrought, mythological references but not without punctuating her music with moments of genuine beauty. It’s this dualism that brews a strange sense of confusion that’s all too welcoming.
Emmy the Great’s excellent 2009 debut First Love sported a distinct ‘hear-and-now’ quality that happened to work against it on a longer timeline. It debuted Emmy’s fiercely imaginative poetry to a mostly-acoustic, mostly-minimalist backdrop that, despite of drawing wide acclaim then, refused to age as gracefully. Moreover, it didn’t do justice to the playful lyricism, leaving much to be desired sonically.
Virtue chooses to use its predecessor’s blueprint but to a more fulfilling effect. Producer Gareth Jones (Wire, Depeche Mode) employs a wider range of instruments in order to create a fleeting atmosphere for Emmy’s voice to trot around in. It’s here Emmy’s fantastical tales of allusive quests come to life.
There’s no mystery about the circumstances surrounding Virtue. It’s a record born of a broken romance and the uncertainty surrounding its aftermath. The manner in which Emmy decides to tackle the subject however, is infinitely interesting. With every song playing out like a story in itself, her narrative is initially muddled in faux-mythical drama. But as the record begins to come to a close, she becomes progressively clearer, choosing to expose her wounded core with the tearfully straightforward ‘Trellick Tower’. At its end, it’s easy to realize Virtue is both more accomplished and mature than its predecessor, but that some of its most lovable flaws are almost unflinchingly carried over gives it the odd distinction of being among the most human records ever made.
Indiecision: B+
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