Lily's Interests and Thoughts and Whatnot

*Still figuring out how I want to structure these so bear with me! *

I was first introduced to Empress Of through the Blood Orange song “Best to You.” She sings on that song and I’ve always thought her voice was so crisp and clear and well-suited to that style of music. Although, I must admit, I have not heard much of her other music. The few songs I had heard weren’t my favorite so I never really dove into her discography or listened to any albums of hers (which is usually what I do upon hearing songs I enjoy from an artist I haven’t heard before). I’m starting to think now is finally the time. I’ve just been blown away by this song and am itching to hear more like it.

I like how her sound is evolving and the electronic-influenced pop sound she seems interested in at the moment is something I’m very into. I hope she continues to make music like this because I wholeheartedly believe this song is pop perfection. Every part of it is catchy, but not in a way that sounds boring or overly familiar. It’s empowering but not in the cringey, out of touch way that many pop stars attempt. The song is both personal and universal, which is exactly how pop music should be. I have had every single section of this song stuck in my head at various times of the day. That’s why it’s my song of the day! (Also, I rang someone out at work today who really looked like Empress Of and now I’m kinda contemplating if it was her because I know she’s from this area/playing a show here tomorrow. It probably wasn’t her though lol.)

Even though I’ve been trying to stay offline, I’ll admit I first heard this song on TikTok. A post from the artist promoting it came up on my feed and I was instantly hooked. The more I listen to it, the more I love it. I was surprised at how hard it hit me the first time I heard her sing, “Every single sound is getting me through/I’ve been fucking down for a while.” It sounds so silly, but I had been struggling with feeling happy or excited about much of anything for a few weeks when I heard this song. I’d been on the up at that point, and had been trying to listen to more pop/electronic music to get myself out of my funk. (After the MJ Lenderman concert I went to in September, I got really into Jason Molina and boy, does that get depressing quick!) Anyway, this song was just what I was looking for. She makes clever nods to Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You” and Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t Worry Be Happy” in the bridge that speak to a similar experience of using music as a means of bringing up one’s mood. Really the whole song is about that.

Music can be so healing. A great song can bring you back to yourself in a way very few other things can. “Blasting Through the Speakers” is both an ode to that experience and also is that very thing. God, it’s so good I can’t get over it.

Empress Of is also currently touring with Lorde which is so exciting! I’m sure this song is super fun to hear live.

Here’s the visualizer from her YouTube channel: