Emilie Reid – “House of the Silent”

When Emilie Reid returns with “House of the Silent” it’s as if you’re stepping right into a dimly lit late-night dance hall. The song takes its inspiration from the pop-rock style of the late 1970s and 1980s and embraces the free-spirited energy displayed by artists such as Prince, Donna Summer and early Madonna. In this way it establishes a direct link between pure ecstasy on the dance floor and personal reflection.

The song makes a strong impression right from the start due to the contrast inherent in it. It looks at the complicated emotions associated with getting sober, showing that achieving stability doesn’t automatically put an end to an internal hunger, but instead just shifts the hunger elsewhere. The music has a strong, driving rhythm and a layered production which sounds bright and cheerful. Nevertheless, underneath those pulsating beats there is a clear sense of mourning, vulnerability, and a continuing desire for the wilder times that are now behind. It is a difficult balance to achieve when combining joy and grief in one song, but Reid manages it without any effort.

The entire setup has a vibrant, somewhat crude edge that works really well, and it focuses on emotional depth rather than a slick, polished look, it conveys the dangerous and glorious excitement of night owl culture, including all the darker aspects that are usually asked us to conceal, and transforms them into something you can dance to. It makes a deep impression and stays in your mind long after the last note has faded.

The genuine heart of the arrangement is that it remains firm at the same time as it strives for complete freedom and you can sense the late night atmosphere in each and every part of the mix. It really does take the courage to inject such raw honesty into a song which is intended for dancing, and that is precisely the reason why this release makes such a strong impact.

If you haven’t already, take the time to listen to some of Emilie Reid’s album ‘Leopard~Sukha‘, in order to get an idea of the development of her writing. You should also make sure to follow Emilie Reid on social media if you want to keep up with her new releases throughout this year.