Emma Dark – The Spider and The Fly (2021)
Drawing together elements of alternative rock, pop-punk and old-school pop-rock, Emma Dark is breeding a unique and almost inexplicable sound. With powerful instrumentation, haunting vocals and intimate lyricism, this singer-songwriter exposes the darker side of life. Alright, it’s not just Dark herself creating this outstanding sound. Joining forces with guitarist Dillon Brown, bassist Jeff Sparks and drummer Owen Guercio, the US-based foursome is a fresh breath in a stagnating rock scene.
With only three tracks to their name, Emma Dark is a newbie in the music scene; however, the group is already gained international coverage. Featured on It’s All Indie, Right Chord Music and several online radio stations/podcasts, the band is building a reputation for poetic lyricism atop engaging melodies. The latest addition to their well-received repertoire is the single ‘The Spider and The Fly’.
Following the sophomore single ‘Be Still’ (read our review here), ‘The Spider and The Fly’ adopts a pop-punk meets emo meets grunge design. Showcasing a strong My Chemical Romance influence, the new single combines pounding drums with powerful guitars. Elegant execution of the well-layered instrumentation seems to toss you into a smooth river of sound; however, the river has a bit of a whirlpool as the song progresses. Impressive guitar solos fill the water with catchy riffs swelling into infectious choruses.
As I mentioned, ‘The Spider and The Fly’ is well-layered, yet it is the bold fusion of guitars, drums and vocals that add intensity to the track. The poetic lyricism is eloquently vocalised by Emma Dark with a Hayley Williams-esque sound and attitude. I find many elements of this song intriguing, but what is most fascinating is the sonic representation of the spider and the fly. The interplay between Dark and Brown seems to act as a conversational aspect as the spider messes with the fly. So, not only are you subjected to an epic guitar/vocals interaction but the group certainly show their depth in this harmonic concoction.
For more from Emma Dark check out her Instagram and Spotify.
