REVIEW BY EMMA SCHOORS
INTERVIEW BY CAMI LIBERTY
PHOTO COURTESY OF EMMA TAYLOR
Emma Taylor’s new single “For Forever” is a perfect blend of strong vocals and delicate guitars, and a smooth transition from the summer’s beach hits to fall’s romantic acoustics.
Lyrics pave the way for a fragile and vulnerable tone, yet the more you listen the more the songwriting strength shines through. Though some songs thrive off hard-hitting one-liners and pulsing drums, Taylor’s softer angle is just as impacting, if not more due to the simplicity and focus.
The tune is romantic and poetic yet has elements of darkness mixed in for contrast, which keep it refreshing. Any new listener will pick up on the haunting backing vocals and perfectly timed echoes, and know that those are what set the song apart and give it its edge.
Can you tell us a little about your new single “For Forever?”
Emma: “I wrote ‘For Forever’ from the perspective of a girl living a heartbreaking truth--- choosing a toxic relationship rather than choosing to take the risk of being alone. In a world full of facades, the song uncovers the need to convince the world, and her self, that the relationship is actually good. I think ‘For Forever’ is a song that resonates universally – for those of us who have been in unhealthy relationships and for all of us who have experienced an impossible situation at some point in our lives. It’s a sad topic, totally, but I think it’s one that should be discussed and embraced.”
How did you first come up with the concept for the song and begin writing it?
E: “Whenever I start a new song, I usually will take one experience that I have had personally or that someone I know has had and I’ll create a whole story and theme around it. When I wrote ‘For Forever’ I was in my last semester of college in New York and I had so many contrasting emotions about every aspect of my life, so I used all of my emotions to create a new idea that really just poured out of me within a matter of 15 minutes! It was wild.”
How would you compare this song to your past music?
E: “I think this song really shows my growth not just artistically, but also emotionally, within the past year and a half. I love all the songs that I have put out but I truly think that this is my favorite song to date. I took more risks, especially with my lyrics, and really wanted to showcase the song’s vulnerable story.”
Do you find that you have the same process when creating music or does it change often?
E: “It changes in some ways, but I think my core process has stayed the same. I always write guitar melodies and vocals together, but sometimes I will take breaks in between verses to come up with new ideas whereas other times, like with ‘For Forever’, it will kind of just flow out of me all in one sitting.”
Is there anything else we can expect from you in the near future?
E: “Yes, so much! Now that I’m done with college and moved back to LA full-time, music has all of my attention. I’m working on some new singles that should be done by the end of the year and I’m looking to gig more, so be on the lookout for some dates soon! I am really excited to stay consistent with my releases. Definitely expect much more music!”