Album Review: Emily Burns – 'Die Happy'
Heartbreak, loss and regret: aren’t these the elemental foundations of all classic pop songs? On “Die Happy”, Emily Burns makes a strong case for the defence.
There’s no doubt that the singer-songwriter has taken the long and winding road to this, her debut album.
It’s a journey that saw her move to London from her Midlands home aged 18 to follow her dream. She broadened her horizons with a stint working at Abbey Road, observing masters at their craft, before being picked up by indie 37 Adventures for her first single and mini album. It’s a period in which she worked on her style, making the most of her influences (which range from Joni Mitchell to Stevie Wonder). Having been mentored by leading industry figures she eventually signed to Island Records. There, in 2019, she released the earworm “Is It Just Me” (now on 100m streams globally) and a handful of EPs.
Like so many precocious talents of her generation, however, the global pandemic of 2020-22 stymied her upward trajectory. But it did not stifle her ambitions. Leaving Island, she dedicated her lockdown time to perfecting her songwriting craft. While most of us were getting to grips with the intricacies of homemade sourdough and indulging in Peloton subscriptions, Emily was writing, writing, writing – without knowing when or how the songs might see the light of day. Thankfully, many of these have finally found a home on “Die Happy”, which also marks a return to her indie label origins.
Production-wise, the album veers towards polished beats and memorable melodies (with frequent hints of the greatest purveyor of heartbreak, loss and regret of our times, Taylor Swift). While clearly perfect for radio and the Spotify algorithm, that’s not to diminish the album’s lyrical impact.
The title track is a heartfelt song about cherishing love and living life to the fullest. It captures the essence of wanting to experience joy and connection, emphasizing the importance of meaningful relationships. Others, such as “Cheating On Her” are painfully honest tales of what happens when infidelity meets naivety – the realisation that karma is real when it comes to love - accompanied by a lo-fi beat and atmosphere reminiscent of early The XX.
A raw exploration of the emotional aftermath of a relationship lies at the heart of lead single "Balcony Floor". Featuring atmospheric synths that build a dreamy soundscape, the track has an ethereal yet intimate feel. Emily's voice is delicate and layered, able to convey both the fragility and the strength in her lyrics. The minimalist arrangement allows her vocals to take centre stage, drawing listeners into her emotional world. Likewise, “Gone" is a story about the lingering emotions after a relationship ends, and the feeling of watching someone slip away emotionally, even before they physically leave.
Ending on an optimistic note, album closer "One Day at a Time" is essentially about embracing life's challenges and leaning into the idea of living in the moment. The song speaks to the need for patience and self-compassion, thematically giving the album a resolution, and the artist a sense of emotional closure.
If you're looking for emotional - yet polished - pop music that feels both modern and introspective, “Die Happy” is an album that will resonate. Emily Burns is an exciting artist with potential by the handful and a bright future – although a long time in gestation, judging by the results on “Die Happy”, we can all be thankful that her journey has taken her this far and can look forward to what is next.
Words by Colin Rice
