Emily Barker albums

2024

Fragile as Humans - 82% 

I've listened to dozens of female singers songwriter albums this year, and so many of them are forgettable (like any genre) that it can become a blue. Some are over-hyped and some just never made an impression on me. But then I remember I love Lisa Germano. I love Joni Mitchell and Lida Husik and Liz Phair. Forget about it trying to find an answer to who is the next genius like Joanna Newsom. Sometimes I just love old fashioned and I like newfangled somewhat "trendy" sounds because some people's music lasts forever even when there is dated production (looking at you 80’s Suzanna Vega and 60’s Laura Nyro). Give it time, and a true album sounds like it is ‘supposed to sound’ no matter what.

So when I look at an artist like Emily Barker its the more old fashioned route for sure, but songs like "Wild to be Sharing this Moment” truly are timeless classics, the martial tempo mixed with the honesty and pathos on display make for one of the years greatest achievements. “With Small We Start” and “Sad Songs” are other melodic gems that might already sound like from another time, but they are beautiful creations in their own right. “Fragile as Humans” shows years of wisdom inside the verses, and “Life is for an Hour” is the trickiest track- incorporating some odd off-kilter sounds in an innocent wrapping.

Even with some of the songs not as immediately strong, the minimal “Loneliness”, airy for the fitting “Feathered Thing”, touching sorrow of “Acisoma”, they grow on you and Barker can win you over on about every track in some way. There are elements of even a more adult contemporary sounds (not necessarily a bad thing!) on “Call It a Day” which is terribly traditional, but just because it sounds easy- doesn’t make it easy. It may be old fashioned, but sometimes that's the best cure for melancholy.

Best Songs: Wild to be Sharing this Moment, Sad Songs, With Small We Start