The Derby artist emzae is building a following for her brand of bright, refreshing, personal self-produced electronic pop sound. Her emotive live set has in thr past landed her slots at a number of festivals including Dot to Dot and Beat the Streets. Emzae’s music combines often ethereal, emotive vocals with thought-provoking, perceptive lyrics and intricate production.
Today, she has put together a lockdown playlist for us below.
Désolé – Gorillaz Feat. Fatoumata Diawara
The last song I was really into before this whole nightmare began, Fatoumata’s vocals are just incredible on this and it makes me feel like i’m peacefully sailing away on a boat in the sun, just like in the video.
What You Waiting For? – Lily Allen
The first of two songs on this playlist that remind me of the summer of 2018, when there was a heatwave and a world cup on, and I was watching one of the football matches in a hotel swimming pool on a giant screen. I loved Lily Allen’s last album – I really admired how raw, emotional and truthful it was and this is one of my favourite songs off it. I would have chosen Family Man, but I didn’t want to put too much of a downer on the playlist.
Bank Head – Kelela
You can tell that there’s a theme here of me searching for comfort and memories of the past. This is one of the first Kelela songs I discovered a few years back, and i’d spend evenings listening to the Saint Heron compilation album which had this on it. It reminds me of feeling fairly relaxed.
You Make Me Sick – P!nk
When lockdown first began, I spent my evenings playing on the PS2 and making my way through P!nk’s discography which I had never previously listened to in full. I was surprised to learn that she made an R&B album, and I enjoyed a couple of tracks off it. This one reminds me weirdly of Yeah! by Usher.
Dolphin – Poe
Along with making my way through P!nk’s discography, I was also simultaneously trying to discover more music by 90s female alternative artists. I found this song by Poe, which I love. It’s perfect for when you’re feeling as though everything’s just become a bit muddled and you just want to imagine being someone else somewhere else.
To Your Love – Fiona Apple
Perhaps my most listened to artist of lockdown and the winter beforehand has been Fiona Apple, whose discography i’ve been getting to know better. I’ve chosen this song because it’s the one i’m probably most into at the moment.
Damn, dis-moi – Christine and the Queens Feat. Dåm-Funk
The second of two songs on this list that are purposely chosen because they remind me of the summer of 2018. There’s no particular reason i’ve got two songs with french lyrics in this list, I just prefer this version to the English one (they’re still both great).
In My Bed – Amy Winehouse
I have a playlist on Spotify called 2000s moonlit rooftop lounge which I add songs to occasionally with a very specific aesthetic that takes me to an imaginary place in my head as described in the playlist’s title. This song takes you to a completely different era to the one we’re living in now. A whole world away. That’s why it’s on here!
Rock Star (Jason Nevins Remix) – N.E.R.D
Many of the aforementioned evenings i’ve played on the PS2 during lockdown have been spent on the game SSX 3. This is my favourite song on the soundtrack. Would definitely recommend virtually snowboarding down mountains to this.
Anniemal – Annie
I discovered the album of the same name a few years ago when I was coming out of a really bad place with my mental health. It reminds me of the very first happy day I had during recovery. I was driving along in the sunshine and this album was playing. It’s on this playlist to give us some hope for the future and another one of those days.
