Emma Bea Place has talent. Obviously. From the minute her music comes on, there is a captivating quality to it, a quality that makes the listener want to stop everything they are doing and just listen. Place's voice is similar to artists that we have reviewed before, like Tessa Mouzourakis and Sarah Spencer. She has a sweet, but not heavily accented voice of the two mentioned, and also pop and Americana influenced country songs that are obviously from the heart, and are relatable to anyone who has fallen in love before.
The EP begins with "Heart Like Mine" immediately drawing comparisons to Miranda Lambert's song of the same name, and Keith Urban's track on his last record FUSE . Despite the common name, this song is of different topics than the songs by the huge country superstars. Lambert's song is about how no one understands her. Urban's song is about how he's a heartbreaker and doesn't want to be that anymore. Place takes a more romantic perspective on the topic, and wants a boy to know how to treat her right, or "who knows how to treat a heart like mine." An acoustic driven track, this song has influences from all over the board, from the Dixie Chicks, to Taylor Swift, to Gabrielle Aplin. It is a true country song however, and a sweet love song to kick off the EP.
A highlight of the three song EP is the next track, "I'm All In." Featured on our "Favorite Songs of the Week" list on SoundCloud this week, this song is a gem. Another acoustic driven track, like all of the songs on this EP, this song sounds like something Taylor Swift would have sung a few years ago, showing the heavy influence Swift has had on Place's music. From lyrics like, "Standing in the middle of the pouring rain" and "first kiss darling you light me up, and the sparks fly," to the country pop production, this song is a dead ringer for something Swift would sing. Despite all of the influence taken from Swift, this song does have some distinctive characteristics that make it much better than a Taylor Swift song-wannabe. There is a sweetness and innocence to this song that was never in Swift's music, due to her high understanding of love at such a young age. The hook, "even though I may not win, I want you to know, for you I'm all in" is an example of this beautiful idea that love conquers all. Place adds a beauty to this song that Swift never was able to find throughout her almost decade-long career: hopefulness.
"Tonight" ends the EP on a strong note. The songs on this EP are all about love, and do not vary in lyrical content much, but this song has beautiful production. The track is a waltz, which is an element missing in country music these days. There is nothing more beautiful than a song in triple time, from an artist with a captivating voice like Place has. The chorus is gorgeous and simple, with Place singing:
"Kiss me,
Like it was yesterday
Miss me
Like I miss you,"
and ending with "never let go." There is nothing profound about these lyrics, but they are beautiful in a simplistic way, and relatable in a way that overly complex songs cannot be.
So far, all the listeners have gotten from Place is her single, "Our Song," and this short, three song EP. When Place releases more music, there will be a better sense of the direction she wants to take her career, and what she can really do as a musician. This EP was like the listener tipping their toe into the limitless pool of Place's music, and leaving wanting to hear more. But based on what Place was able to do with this EP, when she raises more funds and catches the eye of the right people, she will do incredible things with a full length album. She has talent and a unique country/pop/Americana mix to offer people, and country music fans deserve to hear what real country music sounds like. Place is the one for the job.
Best tracks: I'm All In, Tonight
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 4 crowns
A highlight of the three song EP is the next track, "I'm All In." Featured on our "Favorite Songs of the Week" list on SoundCloud this week, this song is a gem. Another acoustic driven track, like all of the songs on this EP, this song sounds like something Taylor Swift would have sung a few years ago, showing the heavy influence Swift has had on Place's music. From lyrics like, "Standing in the middle of the pouring rain" and "first kiss darling you light me up, and the sparks fly," to the country pop production, this song is a dead ringer for something Swift would sing. Despite all of the influence taken from Swift, this song does have some distinctive characteristics that make it much better than a Taylor Swift song-wannabe. There is a sweetness and innocence to this song that was never in Swift's music, due to her high understanding of love at such a young age. The hook, "even though I may not win, I want you to know, for you I'm all in" is an example of this beautiful idea that love conquers all. Place adds a beauty to this song that Swift never was able to find throughout her almost decade-long career: hopefulness.
"Tonight" ends the EP on a strong note. The songs on this EP are all about love, and do not vary in lyrical content much, but this song has beautiful production. The track is a waltz, which is an element missing in country music these days. There is nothing more beautiful than a song in triple time, from an artist with a captivating voice like Place has. The chorus is gorgeous and simple, with Place singing:
"Kiss me,
Like it was yesterday
Miss me
Like I miss you,"
and ending with "never let go." There is nothing profound about these lyrics, but they are beautiful in a simplistic way, and relatable in a way that overly complex songs cannot be.
So far, all the listeners have gotten from Place is her single, "Our Song," and this short, three song EP. When Place releases more music, there will be a better sense of the direction she wants to take her career, and what she can really do as a musician. This EP was like the listener tipping their toe into the limitless pool of Place's music, and leaving wanting to hear more. But based on what Place was able to do with this EP, when she raises more funds and catches the eye of the right people, she will do incredible things with a full length album. She has talent and a unique country/pop/Americana mix to offer people, and country music fans deserve to hear what real country music sounds like. Place is the one for the job.
Best tracks: I'm All In, Tonight
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 4 crowns
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