Empra - Empra (23/07/2012)
As a debut release, Empra’s self-titled album has set the bar high for the future of the Australian rock scene. The band has taken their live songs to a new level with a polished final production and the help of featured artist Gotye, without losing an ounce of their stage presence and energy.
Empra features surprisingly simply lyrics that create honest stories of heartbreak and a lost friend. The emotion of the lyrical journeys are strengthened by Veloo’s vocals, that have captured the passion of the stories without sacrificing the power needed to be heard over the full force of the band. This album presents a stunning example of a classic rock sound that has been missing from the Australian music scene, with rough-edged riffs and a driving beat to match. But it is through the precision balance of honest emotions driven by the lyrics and the force of the band’s rock sound that sets this album up to be brilliant piece of art.
I Won’t Give Up really highlights Empra’s typical sound, with a high-energy rock sound that works with the strength of Veloo’s vocals to build intense and ridiculously catchy songs. The lead single, Doesn’t Make Much Sense, follows this pattern, featuring a highly memorable chorus that stands out across the album as a definite highlight and perfect for sticking in your head. The combination of the Empra’s signature high-octane rock energy and the unforgettable quality of the chorus, has set this song up to work brilliantly as the lead single of the album.
The fifth track, Only Love creates a slower moment in the middle of the album with the track ranging from an almost ballad-like opening to a full force rock song over the choruses. Despite the rather eclectic mix of tempos across the song, it blends in with the album as a whole and, in combination with the lyrics, creates a rollercoaster of an emotional journey in under 4 minutes. The closing track of the album, Sabrina, continues the slower tempo style as a rather haunting ballad that builds from an emotional, acoustic opening to a full-band backing without sacrificing the emotional and lyrical quality. With featured artist Gotye joining them, Sabrina features not only some his musical stylings, but also the emotions of Somebody I Used To Know, which truly adds to the impressive nature of the song.
Bethany Williams
Empra features surprisingly simply lyrics that create honest stories of heartbreak and a lost friend. The emotion of the lyrical journeys are strengthened by Veloo’s vocals, that have captured the passion of the stories without sacrificing the power needed to be heard over the full force of the band. This album presents a stunning example of a classic rock sound that has been missing from the Australian music scene, with rough-edged riffs and a driving beat to match. But it is through the precision balance of honest emotions driven by the lyrics and the force of the band’s rock sound that sets this album up to be brilliant piece of art.
I Won’t Give Up really highlights Empra’s typical sound, with a high-energy rock sound that works with the strength of Veloo’s vocals to build intense and ridiculously catchy songs. The lead single, Doesn’t Make Much Sense, follows this pattern, featuring a highly memorable chorus that stands out across the album as a definite highlight and perfect for sticking in your head. The combination of the Empra’s signature high-octane rock energy and the unforgettable quality of the chorus, has set this song up to work brilliantly as the lead single of the album.
The fifth track, Only Love creates a slower moment in the middle of the album with the track ranging from an almost ballad-like opening to a full force rock song over the choruses. Despite the rather eclectic mix of tempos across the song, it blends in with the album as a whole and, in combination with the lyrics, creates a rollercoaster of an emotional journey in under 4 minutes. The closing track of the album, Sabrina, continues the slower tempo style as a rather haunting ballad that builds from an emotional, acoustic opening to a full-band backing without sacrificing the emotional and lyrical quality. With featured artist Gotye joining them, Sabrina features not only some his musical stylings, but also the emotions of Somebody I Used To Know, which truly adds to the impressive nature of the song.
Bethany Williams