Emma Howett - I'm Being Followed By A Statue
The UK’s Emma Howett, an electro-pop artist, dropped a new album, I’m Being Followed By A Statue, not long ago.
Emma Howett
Having never heard of her, but totally mesmerized by her music, I did a little digging. Seems she was a member of the indie-pop outfit Will Dance For Chocolate, and is now the front woman for an indie-punk band, called Chevy Chase Stole My Wife, as well as part of an acoustic trio, Fix Me, Margo, which released a Christmas single.
I’m Being Followed By A Statue is her first solo release and incorporates a variety of luscious stylistic elements, including R&B, pop, electro-pop, punk-lite, and washes of new wave.
Consisting of nine-tracks, the album begins with “Fever Dreams,” riding a tasty electro-pop melody fused with luminous sheens of vocal harmonies on the chorus. The verses travel on a syncopated rhythm full of a fat bass line and tighter vocals.
Howett’s voice, crystalline and high, is slightly reminiscent of Joan Jett, toned down and snorting helium. It’s a grand voice, attractive and alluring.
“Goldilocks” opens on dirty guitars flowing into an alt-rock number flavored with hints of pop sparkle. I love the groan of the growling guitars on this track, as well as the taut, crisp drum accents. Howett’s voice, crystalline and high, is slightly reminiscent of Joan Jett, toned down and snorting helium. It’s a grand voice, attractive and alluring.
“Hush” injects punk-lite muscle onto a driving melody full of fuzzed-out guitars, creamy harmonies, and Howett’s quasi-breathy tones. The chorus surges with dark energy topped with spangled colors. “The Unknown” features alt-rock-lite flavors laced with a punchy pop feel, like The Go Go’s, but rife with deeper, darker colors. Howett demonstrates the power of her vocal chords on this track, letting loose beau coup projection.
“Dorothy” comes off as a ‘60s flavored tune, and then ramps up to wall-of-sound guitars topped with bright backing vocals. I love it when the voices combine and kick the harmonics into overdrive.
I’m Being Followed By A Statue is one of those yummy gems you come across every once in a while, both innovative and superb.
