Acclaimed producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Emma-Jean Thackray releases her latest single, “Maybe Nowhere”, taken from her highly anticipated sophomore album, ‘Weirdo,’ set for release on the 25th of April.
“Maybe Nowhere” fearlessly explores a host of complex emotions, blending Thackray’s signature genre-melding sound with raw, heartfelt lyricism and instrumentation. The track opens with sheer noise and a visceral bassline, transporting listeners into a contemplative space, where Thackray delivers poignant couplets such as, “why should I stay / I’m just paying some guy’s mortgage anyway.” These lines candidly express the bleakness of grief amidst the backdrop of boom-bap drumming and echoed vocal musings, evolving into a cacophonous wall of sound in the track’s final moments.
Emma-Jean Thackray tells us; “After losing my partner I didn’t want to be here anymore, but hiding these feelings and thinking you’re a burden is what makes them even more dangerous. You need a place to explore these feelings and for me that’s music – my safe space. This song is a diary of when those feelings for me were at their worst, and the cavernous ending is wondering what it sounds like to die. Making this song, this album, is why it’s a wondering and not a reality; it saved my life.”
‘Maybe Nowhere’ also brings us the second self-directed music video of this campaign, a throwback to the 90s as seen through teenage Emma-Jean’s eyes. The video references 1990s MTV with lots of bright colours layered together and VHS style shots, featuring some off-brand posters of her favourite artists and celebrities at the time. On the walls you will find images of the iconic Smashing Bumpkins, Bert Cobain and Soggy Youth as well as football superstars like Michael Onen- included to highlight Emma’s favourite football team Leeds City FC. An incredible depiction of teenage angst that works perfectly with everything the tune is about, head here to give it a watch.
Alongside the release of the single, Emma-Jean has announced that she will be playing at the iconic Koko on the 20th of November this year! Tickets go on sale this Friday, so be sure to secure yourself one then, it is set to be an incredible show.
And if you just can’t wait til November to witness Thackray’s genius, you’re in luck. She also has a UK instore tour, starting on the day of the album release (25th April) at Stranger Than Paradise in Hackney, and ending in Leeds on the 1st of May with many groovy stops along the way. The shows will boast an intimate solo set from Emma-Jean, and don’t forget your sharpie as she’ll be around to sign vinyl and say hi afterwards too. Tickets and dates here!
