Having won the Americana Music awards for her last album, the soulful, 'Some kind of Blue' in 2017, one might have thought Emily Barker had hit a formula for the future and would try to maintain the momentum with a similar-sounding follow-up. But Barker is too good an artist to allow herself to be pigeon-holed. Instead, we are treated to a more folky Americana sound and a seismic shift in the subject matter too.
A murmuration is a strange phenomenon whereby a huge number of birds fly in groups seemingly oblivious to those around, yet collectively forming an ever-changing and totally interconnected pattern. On this album, Emily Barker seeks to explore the disparate and divisive themes that confront us in the world in these dark days; themes that are interconnected and shape the world we live in today, such as racism, sexism, inequality, and climate change.
The songs are uniformly superior offerings. Poetic lyrics and contemplative tracks bound together by Emily’s immersive voice that draws you in and insists you listen to her viewpoint.
‘The Woman Who Planted Trees’ is a homage to Kenyan activist Wangari Maathai, who did exactly what it says in the title to provide food and empower women in her community. Emily uses her story to look at the role of women in society and to re-engage with nature. That’s a lot of subject material for a song lasting 3 minutes 15 seconds, and yet the song resonates and leaves the listener with questions. Sometimes questioning is as important as the answer.
‘Where Have The Sparrows Gone?’ has a similar ecological slant, and the accompanying video set in a post-apocalyptic London, devoid of any animals, is a warning regarding the damage we are doing to the planet.
This is Emily Barker’s tuneful manifesto for the future. It’s a beautifully poetic and questioning piece of work. Consider this from ‘Machines’, that furthers the current debate on racism and statues following the murder of George Floyd:
I made the world a place, easier for me. Money in my pockets over centuries. I’m a celebrated sinner with statues in the park. This world I made is harder, the more your skin is dark.
Home is a motif that has run through several of Baker’s records. on ‘When Stars Cannot Be Found’, we are comforted by the image that when far from home, we all share the same night sky.
It’s an album full of delights, with Emily’s sweet crystal voice the real star. This collection rates among some of the strongest songs she has ever written, and she is the curator of an incredible number of beautiful tracks.
I covered all my tracks in. Whoever thought this summer’s day would end? Holding on to the last rays of light. What more can I do to keep from losing you? I’m not ready for any more goodbyes.
It’s terrific to hear artists tackle real issues that confront us today and it’s all the better that she manages to do so in such a beguiling and beautiful manner.