When many of us think of Connecticut, our minds might drift into stereotypical images of leafy suburbs, knitwear-clad university students and quaint Stars Hollow-esque towns. While some of these clichés might hold true, we’ve discovered a bubbling underground indie scene over the years with Connecticut artists and bands like Litvar, Delta of Venus, and now, Emma Rae. The last of this unmissable trio has recently released an emotionally potent rock-pop single, titled ‘Beacon’.
Written with Nick Kauffman in a collaborative creative session, ‘Beacon’ taps into one of the most universal and relatable of life’s experiences – unrequited love. If you’ve ever gone through that gauntlet, you’ll recall those feelings of longing, heartache, uncertainty and tension. It’s all of this that Emma Rae so precisely captures through her incisive songwriting, pop-punk energy, rock-fuelled grit and undeniably catchy pop hooks.
From the opening of ‘Beacon’, this artist skillfully sets the tone with a her conservational style: “We drove to Beacon on a Monday, you told me you had to get out of the city, we sang along to old country, it’s what we do whenever you feel shitty.” What comes to the fore is a one-sided friendship, where one is smitten and friend-zoned, while the other is chaotic and blind to reality. Emma Rae really brings to life that soul-crushing moment of being called “a good friend” when you want to be more with that explosive chorus with its crashing drums, searing guitar riffs and her soaring vocals.
There’s something so urgent and raw about this single. That might be due to the fact that it was first penned down in a single writing session or due to the chemistry between Emma Rae and Kauffman. As the first of three releases set to appear over the coming months, it’s safe to say that this project is one to keep a close eye on.
You can also listen to ‘Beacon’ in our Indie Rockers playlist.
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