Australian songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Amanda Emblem, under the banner of The Amanda Emblem Experiment, has unveiled her new album, The Wood. This body of work is steeped in reflection, nature, and the nuances that connect man with nature through music, just as enigmatic and intuitive.
Written largely from her off-the-grid beach house and shaped by her rural life on the Great Sandy Strait, the record finds Emblem balancing meditative escape with environmental awareness. With production handled by Andy Tainsh, who also contributes piano, bass, keys, and slide guitar, the album allows for intimacy and polish, staying true to Emblemโs ethos of albums as meaningful collections rather than disposable singles.
The record opens with โHanging Flute,โ an instrumental drenched in retro noir tones. A lingering flute floats above rumbling beats and shimmering guitar, giving the piece a seductive, mysterious atmosphere that could easily soundtrack a Tarantino scene.
Then thereโs the title track โThe Wood,โ a gently unfolding meditation, inspiring us to delve deep into the child-like and the poignant, inspired by both Emblemโs lightning-struck White Cedar guitar and the cyclical progression of forestry. Acoustic strums ring softly, textured with subtle water-like drops, while Emblemโs rich vocals come slow as if giving us space to wander through imagery and imagination to develop the full picture.
As the journey progresses, โTogether Feeling (The Captain)โ shines as one of the more transportive moments. Fingerpicked guitar weaves through jittery percussion and rumbling beats, and acoustic guitars. Meanwhile, the harmonies stretch into the ether. Emblemโs deep and gentle delivery comes intimate and slow, as if guiding us on an ocean-bound adventure toward unity and serenity.
Elsewhere, standout single โStorm in My Lifeโ injects buoyancy with its upbeat rhythm and nimble fingerpicking, turning loveโs turbulence into a playful weather metaphor.
Altogether, The Wood is a lush, imaginative collection that showcases Amanda Emblemโs gift for marrying storytelling with atmosphere. The album begets you to feel and savor.
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Review by: Naomi Joan