It is soon approaching six months since Emma Ruth Rundle released her sixth studio album, Engine of Hell, to the world. Within it came tracks such as “Return” and “Body“, that still tremble at the emotional core as each chord is delicately played. The record also saw a departure from her traditional sound, leaning into the sound of lone piano in the aforementioned songs, or her trusted guitar strings in tracks such as “Citadel“. As is the case for most records, there were tracks that did not make the cut for the remarkable album. Thankfully, these three tracks will see the light of day under the guise of the brand new Orpheus Looking Back EP, Rundle’s first EP since her debut release Electric Guitar One.
There are beautiful melodies across both tracks “Gilded Cage” and “St. Non“, in which Rundle’s acoustic guitar leads on. The chords dance between a C# and G# on opener “Gilded Cage“, before striking on the heavier notes as she soars on the vocal hook. It’s an emphatic opener with gorgeous vocal and string harmonies and deservedly takes a place on Rundle’s live sets. Closer “St. Non” follows in similar footsteps, a track that has an almost confessional feel to it. The soft spoken sung verses with its gentle chords grow into soaring “Oh Gods won’t you wash me?” on the latter half of the track.
The standout moment in Orpheus Looking Back is “Pump Organ Song“. As its denotative title suggests, a pump organ makes a debut on an Emma Ruth Rundle track here. From the opening moments the brooding noise of the pump organ fill the track, imposing an inescapable sombre atmosphere. Reflecting on her bygone marriage, Rundle delivers the EP’s most potent lyricism with her sublime vocal performance.
“I raised a flag
in foreign lands
waiting for my own war to end
I took a love there
and he took my hand
but i spoke a language he could not understand”
As many tracks do across Rundle’s now extensive discography, the combination of the instrumental performance and the lyricism at hand knock the emotions for six on “Pump Organ Song“. The track’s unique nature, the instrument at hand, and its quality will make a staple when divulging through Rundle’s body of work.
The tracks offered by Orpheus Looking Back are beautiful and engrossing pieces of art that Rundle has become known for. Each unlucky on their own merits not to make their cut for Engine of Hell, it is a blessing that now has been released in this bundle. This EP is a further testament to the sheer talent of Emma Ruth Rundle that with these three tracks and Engine of Hell, she has written a flawless recording session of music. Now that all is left to experience is what will be an incredible performance of these group of songs live.
9/10
Orpheus Looking Back EP will be available on March 25th via Sargent House, pre-orders can be found here.