The sophomore album is a perplexing phenomenon, perhaps even more so when your debut release has been subject to the coveted title of ‘critically acclaimed’. In the world of contemporary London folk music, the second album syndrome has produced some gemstones over the past couple of years, notably BRIT-winner Laura Marling’s I Speak Because I Can and Noah And The Whale’s heartbreakingly beautiful The First Days of Spring.
After a two year wait, then, and based on the performance of her peers, expectations for the follow up to Emmy The Great‘s 2009 debut have been justifiably high. Luckily for the world and its inhabitants, those expectations are both met and exceeded in Virtue, released through Close Harbour Records on 13 June.
The sonically experimental opening sequence of ‘Dinosaur Sex’ followed by the stark lyrical observation that “dinosaur sex led to nothing, maybe I will lead to nothing” settles you back into the perceptive honesty of an Emmy The Great record wonderfully. Later, ‘Paper Forest’ and ‘Cassandra’ showcase effortless charm and downright cleverness in truly spectacular style. Marking the close of the album, ‘North’ and ‘Trellick Tower’ reveal a beautiful new fragility to Emmy’s songwriting craft, highlighting a change in pace from the rhythmic, anti-folk inspired ditties of previous album First Love.
Virtue is a satisfying listen to say the least. Emmy The Great is still bold, vibrant and intelligent – not that we ever expected anything less, of course.
Ahead of Virtue‘s release, a brand new track called ‘Century of Sleep’ is available for free download below.