Em Grace & The Undercuts – I’m Addicted Too (2023)
Technically Em Grace & The Undercuts was formed in 2021, the building blocks were set in place years before. Emma Grace began performing her solo music in 2017 playing mostly at comedy shows. With a need to bring her raw, powerful original songs to audiences, Chicago-based Grace met with friends (and friends of friends, and friends of friends of friends) to create the rush that is Em Grace & The Undercuts.
Following Em Grace’s well-received EP Waves of Grief, The Undercuts step into the light alongside Grace with the single ‘I’m Addicted Too’. In her previous material, Grace’s vocals washed waves of emotion over listeners lyrically and melodically, and now her obscurity is met with Jess’ scorching guitar, Sage’s bold bass and Rachael V. on the drums. Recorded at their friend Sam Wolfe’s apartment, then mixed and mastered by Matt Griffo, ‘I’m Addicted Too’ is a queer sonic tapestry with each instrument shimmering as a bright thread yet all coming together in a graceful picture.
The brash melody can entertain as drums, guitar and bass meld together; it is Grace’s electric ukelele and intriguing vocals that add something special to the song. This is by no means saying any of the other ladies are driven to the background – the obscurity of a ukelele with an off-kilter voice brings a unique lilt to Em Grace & The Undercuts. In ‘I’m Addicted Too’ you can hear the influence of Regina Spektor. For me, I find the group leaning more toward Dresden Dolls with a spike of Amanda Palmer.
Similar to Amanda Palmer’s anarchistic sense of chaos in ‘Girl Anachronism’ to a desperate need for love in ‘Coin-Operated Boy’, Em Grace writes songs that tap on the grittier, grungier, darker side of life. She explains:
“I’m Addicted To’ is a tribute to all of us who find ourselves in [toxic] relationships or struggling with addiction. ‘I’m Addict Too’ is an anthem for the anxious-avoidant attachment style relationships. With this song, I wanted to forgive myself for the patterns I fall into while also giving a truthful, emotional story on what it’s like to love someone with an addiction.”
Em Grace & The Undercuts describe themselves as “a powerful and empowering all queer, electric ukelele, punk/indie-rock band”; for me, they’re a punch in the head followed by a kaleidoscopic pounding of insanity…in the best way, of course.
For more from Em Grace & The Undercuts, check out their official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustianablecurator
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