What's grinding through the undergrowth? It is EMA that is treating us to a dusty indie record for the third time. Erika M. Anderson made a promising debut with (2011) and described with (2014) razor sharp to contemporary society. The albums earned her a lot of applause, but not the breakthrough she deserves. With Exile In The Outer Ring she does not take a step towards the general public. Her
… songs are not to blame, her waywardness prevents success. Thumping synthesizers, noisy guitars and her lived voice provide a penetrating experience. It is not commercial, although the dark sound fits well with the theme of this album: the sleeping cities and poor suburbs of the United States. You hear the desolate environment and boredom, but also the creativity that can arise there. Hailing from the countryside, the artist understands both the problems and the beauty of the less affluent and flashy places in the US. Her music has the same qualities. There is a lot of beauty to be found in the rustling and grinding mess that EMA makes. (JE)more
