Gemma Rogers – Words Fail (2025)
In a world of uncertainty and instability, one could happily ignore all the grittier parts of life living in blissful obliviousness. Then again, is it such a good thing to be unaware of reality, even in its darkness? Gemma Rogers stands tall and exposes the “…lack of humanity in our world leaders…” with evocative melodies. Not a new face on the music scene, the UK-based singer-songwriter has turned international heads for several years featuring in notable publications, performing with established acts like Paolo Nutini and The Libertines, receiving airtime on global radio stations, and much more. We came across Rogers a few years back with her single ‘Rabbit Hole’; today, we take a gander at her most recent single, ‘Words Fail’.
Following her well-received 2024 EP No Future, ‘Words Fail’ is Rogers’ first step into 2025; actually, it’s more of an almighty stomp with raw passion. Holding a mirror to “…the tragedy that unfolds every day on our planet”, ‘Words Fail’ is a lyrical exploration of life’s more difficult challenges. It’s a delving into how “…voices are cycled and recycled through our news cycles and social spaces – the lines of truth and fiction gone…” Interestingly, as much as the theme is profound, poignant and a bit brash, there is a sense of hope and empowerment lurking in Rogers’ poetic place of solace.
When it comes to her lyrics, ‘Words Fail’ is intriguing; however, it is the melodic execution of these words that tugs at your heartstrings. In an infectious blend of hip-hop and pop, with hints of soul peeping from the back, ‘Words Fail’ is a dramatic flood of drums, guitars and bold beats. For me, Rogers’ vocals connect with intense intimacy, but her powerful tones break apart somewhat guiding us through an existential mire of doom.
Bringing the message of standing up and saying, “all right, that’s enough now”, Gemma Rogers is donating all proceeds from ‘Words Fail’ to the charity Heal Palestine – a charity offering support for those struggling in Gaza. A sign that people do care and together we can save the world.
Find out more about Gemma Rogers on her official website, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Spotify.
