Emma Charles – ‘Connecticut’ [EP] [Album Review]

So, I’m running behind on promos. God, I should be so blessed to take the time and stop and listen. What I read from these releases is: it sounds like this, or that, or the other, and after about two hours, I see something that piques my interest. So I stop, take a chill pill (and a glass of vodka and cranberry), exhale, and listen.

What I get out of Emma Charles is a very Colbie Caillet vibe, but I don’t want to pigeonhole her alongside anyone, as this is a much-needed breath of fresh air. Her voice is almost like a sedative, taking you away on a vacation in your mind. Be it snowboarding and hanging out at the ski lodge, drinking on the beach and sleeping in a tiki hut, or mountain climbing in the Appalachians. Whatever… everyone eventually needs a break and change of pace.

Even though her EP is titled Connecticut, to me, it has a very Southern California vibe, but maybe that’s just where my mind takes me on this fantastic voyage found in four songs. It’s easy for me to fall in love with the sound of a woman’s voice, and there’s something about Emma Charles that makes me want to roll over, sit, and play dead. Of course, I expect treats. But treated and gifted I am.

Not only does she carry a lovely voice, but her lyrics are poetic: “This coffee smells like an ashtray, and the man at the gate is calling my name. Now I can’t remember, another lost pretender. Every little silence hurts, sitting alone wondering if I push reverse, hoping, praying, diving into the deep end.” As one of my good friends once told me, everyone needs someone to love, and we’re not getting any younger.

Within Emma’s craft, I envision a lot of dogs and butterflies. Love and tenderness are the underlying themes, and, from my perspective, there’s not a mean bone in her body. One man should be so lucky to put back together the pieces of her broken heart, but let’s not get all Lilith Fair – or whatever, go ahead and be that way. Maybe you should, and maybe I should attend one.

Every one of these tracks stands out on their own with a personal identity sung by the heartfelt minstrel. This EP is not quite enough to complete my heart-work, so I look forward to an upcoming full length. There are peaks and valleys found in Connecticut, which, like any good book, story, or album, should carry away the audience. As a matter of fact, I’m off and floating right now. “Life is just a fantasy, can you live this fantasy life.”

Connecticut Track Listing:

1. Scorpio
2. Vertigo
3. You
4. Connecticut

Run Time: 14:11
Release Date: February 21, 2020
Record Label: Sky Records