The Amanda Emblem Experiment – “The Wood”

Amanda Emblem, performing as The Amanda Emblem Experiment, has dropped her fourth album, “The Wood”, which was released on September 1. Right off the bat, I was drawn in by how the title track and the whole record are rooted in real, tactile things, like the pine kitchen table where the song “The Wood” came to life, and the White Cedar guitar struck by lightning that she used to compose it.

The album is easy to follow, atmospheric instrumentals like “Hanging Flute”, which opens with a vintage, almost cinematic feel, and brighter numbers like “Storm in My Life”, with upbeat fingerpicking, harmonica, and slide guitar that add a playful energy. “Storm in My Life” ended up being my personal favorite. It’s got this lightness and groove that makes it easy to replay. There’s a nice mix of acoustic textures, including guitar, flute, harmonica, and light percussion, and the vocals stay laid-back and honest, it’s one of the best albums I’ve heard this week. It feels like Amanda is inviting you into her creative world without guile or showiness.

Listening to “The Wood” is a unique experience. Follow Amanda Emblem on socials to stay in the loop for new releases in 2025.