My Arms Are Open: The Review

On Friday 15th of May, the newest EP release from Emma Blackery arrived into the world, My Arms Are Open. Joining Blackery’s extensive discography, My Arms Are Open brings a fresh side of Emma’s storytelling within her lyrics that we haven’t seen before. This post is dedicated to Emma’s newest release and all thoughts are my own. I’d love to hear what everyone thought of the EP too so, let me know. 

My favourite part of the EP is that the songs collectively tell a continuous story; this results in the EP in my opinion being a concept EP of a declaration of love and memories with someone special. The songs can also be stand alone songs and singles giving a snapshot of a chapter of a larger story. One important thing to note about this body of work is you need to keep an ear out for the use of soft and strong vocal moments which add to the listeners understanding of memories within the songs for the artist. The entire EP, I believe, is an embodiment of important memories for the artist.

Those of you unfamiliar with Emma Blackery. Some people recognize her from her YouTube videos which she began making in 2012 but Emma launched her music career with her debut single ‘Go The Distance’ in 2013. Since then she has released singles, EPs and her LP ‘Villains’. Each body of work must be looked at individually because they truly are works of Art! Regardless if you are battling your inner demons while blasting ‘The Promise’, feeling upset at your ‘enemies’ while dramatically performing along to ‘Burn the Witch’, dancing up a storm to ‘Take Me Out’ or ‘Cute Without You’, Emma’s music truly has something for everyone and the examples used are only the tip of the iceberg. 

Back to My Arms Are Open. The EP has four songs on it, each following a journey of hope and love. The songs themselves each hold their own stories, as previously stated above but, what I like about this EP is I loved each song so much and didn’t skipping any because they all have a certain charm to them. You really must listen to them all in full when listening to the EP for the first time (at least, if you are someone who prefers to skip to their favourite song). 

The video link from YouTube shows the first song on the EP and it was the first single off of the EP; ‘Wolves’. From the get go, this song had me hooked. It doesn’t sound like anything that Emma has brought out before. The concept of the Wolves within the song gives a visual representation of obstacles the artist has come up against. It is a song that when you don’t believe in yourself or think the world is out to get you, you need to blast at full volume! 

Next up is ‘Plot Holes’. Personally I think this is the rawest song of the entire EP. Is it a confession but also how she deals with things with the person in question. Out of all the songs Emma has released, this one is my favourite. Emma has never shied away from anything when it comes to telling stories and putting messages within her songs but this one hits different for me. I can’t put my finger on it to try to explain it in detail but this is the song I’d recommend to everyone. So far, everyone I have asked to listen to it has taken different messages from it. 

‘History in The Making (Demo)’. From the beginning of the song you are hit with an epic beat; this beat is what drew me into this song. Anyone who is an avid listener of Emma will be aware that Emma’s stand out songs released previously all include a catchy beat behind the lyrics. I also adored the story within this song so much that I had the song on repeat for at least ten listens before moving onto the next song on the EP. The question I’d love to ask Emma about this song is: with the word (Demo) in this song title; was the demo better then the finished product? Regardless, this one is truly the diamond of the EP for me. 

Last but certainly not least is ‘Forever’ and Blackery starts things off nice and slow. Personally, I feel if any song was going to a wedding song for any of Emma’s fans it would be this song. It is slow enough to dance to. The story told within the song could resonate with a number of couples. The relationship started rocky within the song but, in the end, it has triumphed. Upon hearing this song for the first time, I was genuinely moved and feeling happy for Emma. Someday I hope to be as lucky and to find this.

In conclusion I honestly am incredibly proud of Emma for her latest EP, My Arms Are Open. Like many of her listeners I have grown up with her and felt every emotion she has portrayed within her songs. My Arms Are Open entwines the feeling of love for someone else with a number of spellbinding memories the likes of which we haven’t seen before from Emma.

After finishing listening to this EP you may feel happy for the artist herself because it is clear to see within her songs that she has finally found someone who is exceptional to her. In comparison to other EPs that have been released in 2020, I believe you will not find that will leave you with such a sense of love and happiness like My Arms Are Open does. If you happen to find one that can top this, send it my way and I will be willing to compare them.

The only thing left to say is that we, here at Our Muchness Guide, would urge everyone to check out Emma Blackery’s newest EP here. While you are there why not listen to the rest of her music too.