by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

From Emika’s own words: “I’ve had this sound in my head for many years, this record saved my life”.

Haze finds Emika unifying a lot of the elements that have been present in her music so far – in the words of the Bandcamp commentary, ‘a blend of her neoclassical descending melodies, signature breathy, female vocals, icy pianos, heavy sub-bass vibrations and layered Hazy beats. Let’s call it Emika’s love-affair with the Future Garage genre.’

What’s the music like?

This is music to dive into, as Emika hits the sweet spot between pure ambience and busy musical activity. The latter brings positive energy through glitchy beats, murmured vocals and piano-driven motifs, often manipulated in music that wraps the listener up like cotton wool.

Emika cleverly weaves in thematic unity between the pieces, with slowly descending motifs that are presented with different backdrops or energy, the beats usually moving quickly and delicately in the middle ground.

(star key) is a beauty for the morning after, the familiar descending motif given fluttering beats and expansive production for company and setting the mood for the rest of the album. The breakbeats are crisply executed, reminiscent of Bicep or Burial but striking out individually too.

As the album progresses the pieces get shorter, their one-word titles (Ache, Shards, Rain, the beat-driven Waltz), are borne out in music of descriptive, cold elegance. Smoke is a beauty, with chord progressions of frozen beauty, while Writer exerts thoughtful arpeggios and breathy vocals that float on air. Low End feels like a piece of ‘Netflix noir’, and indeed much of the music would be very much at home providing the soundtrack for an Alex Garland series.

Does it all work?

It does. This is atmospheric music, perfect for mindful contemplation but with plenty of energy to reward foreground listening.

Is it recommended?

Very much so. Emika is one of those consistently versatile artists who is often on the move in a good way – and that is certainly the case here. Lively yet ambient, Haze is the ideal antidote to the overexposure and overstimulation given to us by the modern world.

Listen & Buy

Published post no.2,230 – Friday 5 July 2024