"Someone New" is Emily Crain's reboot. It’s the Oklahoma indie-pop artist's first release under her own name after shaking the limitations of a label. It’s a confident yet subdued pop track that finds Crain carrying a well-deserved sense of pride. Rather than an outward display of her evident talent, the track has Crain revealing her hand slowly, showing just enough to keep things interesting and build excitement for her upcoming debut EP.
From its opening notes, “Someone New” asserts itself as the new decade’s rightful representative of early 2010s indie-pop. Emily Crain wraps her return to the stage in the sound of cafetronica - chic, witty, flowing yet subtle, and brings the musical concepts of lounge and leisure to modern pop sensibilities. “Someone New”, while outwardly a straightforward track, is a testament to Crain’s songwriting ability. It’s built around a simple 4-note synth riff that starts innocuously but builds in depth and prominence over the track’s three-minute runtime. In the opening verse, the synth is the perfect accompaniment to Crain’s soft, assured voice, but it grows to a buzzing, pulsing centerpiece by the end of the track. Likewise, Crain’s vocals play perfectly with the backing track, voice and synth each showing enough restraint to let the other shine. Lyrically, Crain alludes to unrequited love but finds assurance in her ability to move on. It’s a concept that’s relatable, empowering, and aptly mirrors her current place as a musician: unfazed to leave the past behind and move on to new things.
There’s power in the simplicity of “Someone New” and allure in the mystery of what more Emily Crain has up her sleeve. It’s an exciting first step for her new portfolio.
Listen to "Someone New" on Spotify:
