LA Indie-Pop Artist EMILY JAMES Shares the Synth-laden New Single + Video; ‘Illuminate’ EP Out 7/15
June 17, 2022 BY Jason Currell
Today, Los Angeles-based artist Emily James gives listeners another taste of her forthcoming EP Illuminate with the new single “Cannonball.” The lush pop track is a fresh new take on the summertime love story featuring Emily’s mature songwriting style and subtle instrumentation that artfully blends warm acoustics and synths. Listen to “Cannonball” on all digital retailers (here).
Emily explains, “I’ve written a lot of songs about the nuances of love, including the fear and inner-conflict and heartbreak that often comes along with it. Cannonball is special to me because it’s the first song I’ve written that is simply about how euphoric it feels to fall in love and the experience of being in a moment and wanting to stay in it forever. It’s really just a song that celebrates love and feels like summertime.”
The accompanying video was co-directed by Emily and Kristen Brancaccio. It depicts a couple revealing their unspoken feelings for each other in a stark, surreal environment. They “paint” their emotions and dreams of a future together on each other, as visuals of their imagined relationship appear on each other’s skin. As the song progresses, so does the relationship, as they take the leap together and their love runs wild and free. At the end, the story rewinds and we are once again back in the stark, blank canvas of reality.
“Cannonball” follows “Peach New Am,” “Bird of Prey,” and “Brooklyn” which will appear on her forthcoming EP Illuminatedue out July 15th via Nettwerk. The project sees Emily’s songwriting and producing continue to evolve with each single creating a roomy atmosphere for listeners to explore and enjoy her stunning vocal-pop performances.
LISTEN & SHARE “CANNONBALL” HERE: https://emilyjamesmusic.ffm.to/cannonball
Emily James has been surrounded by music for as long as she can remember. Among the 23-year-old’s first memories are of her New York upbringing with her parents’ eclectic music collection. Spanning from Billy Joel and Stevie Wonder to musicals and folk music, all these early influences were quintessential to her story; nuanced and ever-evolving as the music the L.A.-based artist creates. Raised in a small town just north of New York City, Emily began her musical journey singing and taking piano lessons and, by the time she was ten, writing her own songs. In her early teens, Emily started performing around New York City and, soon after, began driving down to Nashville and gigging at venues throughout the Music City.
Emily has come a long way both musically and geographically, having started her career in Nashville alongside powerhouse producers Ian Fitchuk (Kacey Musgraves) and Jacquire King (Kings of Leon). She established herself as a true songwriter whose music has continued to expand into many genres. As she’s matured, Emily’s soulful essence has taken center stage, capable of powerful, standout choruses that give way to tender inflections.
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 self-producing. “I definitely attribute a lot of what I know about production from 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 create 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 five EP releases, Emily has amassed 40M+ streams worldwide across streaming platforms. She’s developed her own sound and songwriting style that features nuanced production and an emotional vulnerability that complements her dynamic vocal range. Regarding her process, Emily states, “At the start, I write for myself. Once the song is done, it doesn’t even feel like I wrote it. It’s not mine anymore. It belongs to whoever is listening because they’re going to attach their own experiences to it. I like when people interpret my songs their own way. Even though I wrote the words about my own experience, however someone connects to it and relates it to their own life is completely valid. To me, that’s the beauty of music.”
Emily James truly steps into her own on her forthcoming EP, Illuminate,due out on July 15, 2022. Driven by textured, ethereal pop melodies and her enchanting vocals, the EP sees Emily branching out musically and diving into an entirely new realm of narrative depth. She’s compiled this next iteration over the past year, blending the intimate with the grandiose as she opens up about new relationships and tackles the uncertainties of life’s changes. Illuminate also features Emily’s production credits, with half of the songs written and produced solely by her.
EMILY JAMES IN THE PRESS…
“…James explores a new realm of narrative depth with textured, ethereal pop melodies and her enchanting vocals…”
–PopWrapped
“…charming and whimsical… Could she be the next Taylor Swift? We wouldn’t be surprised.”-American Songwriter
“…Emily James’ storytelling unveils a signature style…”-LadyGunn
“…talented and tenacious…”–Music Connection Magazine
