Sometimes – actually quite often – it gets very dark and cold in the southern headquarters of Backseat Mafia, where the next port of call to the south is Antarctica. But to adopt Newton’s Third Law of Motion, there is often an equal and opposite prevailing system that counteracts the chill and more often and not, it’s in the form of Japanese/Australian artist エミエミ (emi emi).
We have enthusiastically lauded her luminescent presence and sound emanating from Lutruwita/Tasmanian on many an occasion, and as wintry climes desperately cling on into the advent of Spring, she is back to shine a light where all else is dark with her self-titled debut EP.
emi emi says of the EP:
I have spent the last few years learning how to get demos to a stage where I’m happy to share them with an audience, then seeing that through to release. I think the EP really represents that learning, while also representing where the project started and what sorts of flavours we were aiming for back then.
The word bubbly was seemingly invented purely for the nuclear pop of emi emi, an iridescent light that even warms the cockles of a cynical black clad hack like me. She sings mostly in her native tongue but music and melodies this good needs no translation.
Opening track ‘hajimemashite’ is a case in point – a short dreamy introduction fittingly translated as ‘nice to meet you’.
Continuing the penchant for the lower case, ‘urusai!’ has elements of Rosé with its snappy delivery, half spoken vocals and brimful of attitude. Soaring choruses are framed by an element of insouciance, spiralling electronica, one hand on the hip and a raised perfectly manicured eyebrow. It pure cartoon pop.
In ‘moshi moshi’, a gentle introduction creates dreamy waves of sound before a dappling entry with distorted vocals at the edges and a mix of Japanese and English vocals, some spoken some sung. It’s bright pop of the highest order.
‘arashi no naka’ pops and bubbles with vivacity and would seamlessly fit into the ‘Lost In Translation’ Soundtrack with it’s atmospheric and slightly melancholic vocal delivery.
Single ‘ngu’ is as joyous and expansive as emi emi’s live performances. With a sprightly effervescent pace and sonic equivalent of a day-glo brilliance, there is such an uplifting tone it should be prescribed by medics to lift the most downtrodden heart.
Indeed, there is a J-Pop/K-Pop radiance but elements of bands like Alvvays in the mix – a heady cocktail of sheer exuberance with a strain of yearning and melancholy throughout, sung in Japanese. エミエミ emi emi is producing something that is really quite unique at the edge of the world.
‘sukinahito’ is a yearning soul-infused ballad delivered in emi emi’s velvet vocals over an expansive cinematic world while ‘nemutai’ has an electronic fuzz and drive that would do Cabaret Voltaire proud with stabbing synths and wild chorus backing and emi emi’s über cool sardonic delivery.
Final track ‘tabero’ is another example of emi emi’s unique electronic sounds and day-glo delivery that positively sparkles and skips with a delightful bounce.
The music is redolent of fellow compatriots Confidence Man and yet emi emi’s vocals adds another dimension – a little bit of J-Pop insouciance and just a hint of yearning. It’s so infectious it should come with a government health warning. emi emi says:
This song is for fun and for dancing and for enjoying over a bowl of instant ramen.
Delicious.
This is blisteringly sweet high energy sonic bliss that is never cloying or diabetes-inducing: it is pure untrammeled joyous expression.
I think the songs as a collection are a nice reflection of the place we’ve arrived at together. I really believe that all the people who have worked on this project have had a strong influence on where the sound has landed and I’m so proud that the majority are based in Lutruwita/Tasmania.
The ultimate conclusion is that emi emi has created something that may draw on many influences from around the world, but she has distilled this into something quite unique and very special. And it bears repeating, something that delivers live.
The EP is out now and available via the link above and here. You can catch her launching the EP in the coming months – details below and tickets here.
エミエミ (emi emi) is the experimental J-pop project from 28-year-old Emi Doi, born and raised in Lutruwita/Tasmania to her Launcestonian mum and Japanese dad. She writes and performs alongside Charlie Pyecroft, as well as dancers Eri-Mullooly-Hill Konishi and Risa Muramatsu-Ray.
Feature Photograph: Kishka Jensen
