Los Angeles-Based Singer-Songwriter Emily James Shares Haunting New Track “Lovely Enough”

Today, Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Emily James announces her forthcoming EP Grey (out June 23 via Nettwerk) with the release of her haunting and introspective new single, “Lovely Enough.” On the track, Emily trades her synth-driven sound for a more intimate, stripped-back tone that places her sheer talent as a singer-songwriter at the forefront. Through vulnerable lyricism, striking vocals, and a climactic melody that builds until it breaks, Emily muses on the pressures of being a woman and the fear of being too much, culminating in the refrain, “If I’m lovely enough / Will they love me enough?”.

Listen to “Lovely Enough” on all digital retailers (here).

“It’s about the feeling that you can’t truly be yourself because of the fear that you might not be accepted or liked for the person you are on the inside,” Emily explains. “So often women grow up with the pressure to measure up to some ideal that society has created; to act and behave a certain way, to look a certain way, and to keep our emotions to a minimum in order to fit in and not be ‘too much.’ It’s very easy to go down a destructive path when you are so focused on pleasing everyone by trying to be the ‘perfect’ version of yourself and end up losing your true self in the process.” 

Along with the single comes the official visualizer for “Lovely Enough” which shows the artist wandering a scenic overlook, oscillating between vibrant shots at golden hour and cinematic, black-and-white imagery to reflect the song’s duality.

WATCH & SHARE “LOVELY ENOUGH” OFFICIAL VISUALIZER HERE:
https://youtu.be/U-5W2o-YKw4

Following lead singles “Happy for Me” and “For an Evening”, “Lovely Enough” is the latest offering from Emily James’ upcoming EP, Grey, out June 23 via Nettwerk. In 2022, Emily released her acclaimed Nettwerk debut, Illuminate. After being named an Artist to Watch in 2023 by Atwood Magazine, Emily is primed to have a big year with more new music on the horizon.

‘GREY’ EP
Tracklist:
1. Lovely Enough
2. Past Tense
3. For an Evening
4. Think I’m Gonna Make It
5. New Name to Heartbreak
6. Happy for Me

ABOUT EMILY JAMES:

From her earliest memories, music has always played an important part in Emily James’ life. Raised in a small town just north of New York City, the singer-songwriter remembers, as a toddler, riding around town in her backseat “throne” of a car seat. There, she would perform for her family, or whoever else was in the car, belting out everything from radio hits, to classic rock, to her favorite songs from the musicals, Wicked and Annie.

Those early musical influences were quintessential to her story; nuanced and ever-evolving as the music the L.A.-based artist creates. Emily began her musical journey singing and taking piano lessons and, by the time she was ten, writing her own songs. She picked up the guitar a few years later, finding in the instrument a fresh new outlet for her lyrics and melodies.

In her early teens, Emily started performing her music at open mic nights around the New York area and, soon after, began driving down to Nashville and gigging at venues throughout the Music City. She went on to spend two years in Nashville and, while there, recorded her self-titled EP, Emily James, followed by her second release, the introspective, Til the Morning. 

After Nashville, Emily felt the west coast calling and decided to expand her horizons by relocating to Los Angeles. Once in L.A., she gained the confidence to venture into producing her own music. Drawing from her experiences working with seasoned producers as well as her own musical influences, Emily wrote and produced many of her subsequent releases from her west coast bedroom. “I definitely attribute a lot of what I know about production to what I’ve picked up from the producers and engineers I’ve been fortunate enough to work with,” she says. Creating songs in her own bedroom instead of in a studio adds a level of introspection to her songs. “Being able to write, record and produce music in such a private, intimate space, and yet have limitless possibilities staring you straight in the face is, for me, a beautiful way to create. You get to eliminate any elements of self-consciousness and be totally free with your thoughts and ideas.”

Over the course of the next few years, Emily released a number of independent projects, while also attending college at UCLA. She combines artful storytelling with strong melodies that are often layered with beautiful, lush harmonies. And, while she most often writes her songs from personal experience, Emily’s music is altruistic. By her account, her songs are for anyone to embrace and attach their own stories and emotions to. “One of my favorite things about music and songwriting is that I can create a piece of art that is so specific to me and my life experiences, and feel like no one else has ever felt this way. But then, people will reach out to me and say that they relate to it, and that the song has helped them get through a difficult time, or makes them feel less alone. It’s amazing to have that kind of connection with someone… and knowing that my music has helped them in even some small way is all I can ever hope for.”

Soon after graduating from college, Emily signed with Nettwerk Music Group, and went on to release her EP, Illuminate, in July of 2022. The artist began rolling out her next project at the close of 2022, with the poignant and heartbreaking ballad, For an Evening, followed by the synth-laden, indie-pop track, Happy for Me.

Emily’s latest release, the haunting, ethereal, Lovely Enough, focuses on issues of insecurity and self-esteem. Revealing her sentiments about the song, the artist says “it’s about the feeling that you can’t truly be yourself because of the fear that you might not be accepted or liked for the person you are on the inside. So often women grow up with the pressure to measure up to some ideal that society has created; to act and behave a certain way, to look a certain way, and to keep our emotions to a minimum in order to fit in and not be ‘too much.’ It’s very easy to go down a destructive path when you are so focused on pleasing everyone by trying to be the ‘perfect’ version of yourself, and end up losing your true self in the process.”

“…Could she be the next Taylor Swift? We wouldn’t be surprised…”
– American Songwriter

“…an intimate fresh take on a summertime love story — meshing Emily’s eloquent songwriting, soothing voice, and warm acoustics and synths together to create a luxuriant soundscape.”
– Early Rising

“…Emily James’ storytelling unveils a signature style…”
– LadyGunn

“Artist of the Week”
– Ones to Watch

“…James explores a new realm of narrative depth with textured, ethereal pop melodies and her enchanting vocals…”
– PopWrapped

“…Emily James just might be your new anthem for the [summer] season…”
– Sweety High