Describing your new single as " is an empowering, anti-Valentine’s anthem celebrating self-worth and letting go of negativity" js a hefty label to place upon it but that is what Emiia Quinn has done with her latest release "High On Life". It was the stand out track of the unreleased material from her electric and acoustic tours and was something of a joyful aural onslaught.
Before we dive in though, let's spend a few minutes looking at the cover, another entry for the "Coffee Table Book of Emilia Quinn Covers" sees all sorts going on. There's some religious iconography happening although obviously Emilia is clutching the neck of her Gretch guitar. The framing partially looks like a playing card - the Queen of (Broken ) Hearts maybe if that opening message so to be taken at face value. It's also worth appreciating how Emilia's tresses have been perfectly captured in the light.
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From the opening acoustic guitar and drum beat, this a madcap 4 minutes of musicality by any standards. To even give you a vague idea of what it is like, imagine if the uptempo vibe of "Stuck In The Middle With You" decided it needed to sound a bit more like the Rolling Stones and decided to not settle for one guitar solo if it could squeeze in two courtesy, of John W Doyle's electric and Cristiano Pochesci's pedal steel. There's also a pulsating bass sound that drives things along in harmony with the percussion and some clapping as well.
Emilia's vocals do indeed have the required sassy delivery about them, though lose concentration for a second and you'l find a couple of lines have probably whizzed past you.
"Rumour has it you've been keeping my name n your mouth
Does it still taste sweet like when you wanted me to be devout?
Or has it gone sour like the milk in the fridge
All the dirty laundry is really starting to stink
You wouldn't want the neighbours finfing out you really lost out"
The second verse is no less restrained in sticking the boot in
"I bet you just can't find a single thing
And you don't even know how to turn on the washing machine
That's what you get for letting me break my back
And all my tips and tricks, have already been packed
If you had more of them maybe you could call a friend!"
The chorus is as billed, a joyful releasing of negativity.
"Cos I get high on life" - The "High" is extended out by Emilia tor many seconds each time it comes round.
"And I'm kissing your complaining moody grey cloud arse goodbye
I get high on life
If your name spells trouble, you can step out of my bubble
and leave me to be feelling alright"
This production just embraces the spirit of the live performances by just lightly sanding the edges and making the vocals clearer, adding in a few psychedelic effects for good measure towards the end - In essence though it captures Emilia's sound at it's best, which bodes well if the same team are on board for album number two due later this year.