EP Review: Cloud City

Emily Wheatcroft-Snape AKA Em is a singer songwriter, recording and mix engineer from Tamaki Makaurau. Her career thus far flaunts some serious musicality, working industriously towards her unique goals as an artist. She releases solo music projects, experimenting with her own production and sound. This month we’re taking a dive into her new 3-track EP Cloud City!

Em comes with solid music industry experience, having worked at MAINZ as an Audio Tutor, as well as linking up with local and international artists and producers such as Fazerdaze, Te Kaahu, Malay, Tom Healy, Simon Gooding and more. Em completed a Bachelor’s in Audio Engineering, before unmasking her techniques at Roundhead Studios, Parachute Studios and Big Fan studios. As a sought-out artist, Em has developed a sense of style, flavour and adaptability which will no doubt evolve with her talents and identity. Em explores this theme brilliantly in her works, writing about being with the self, discovering who you are, delving and then excavating through love and lonesomeness, as well as producing calm and introspective tracks for rainy days. The energy of this EP reflects that of a jaded traveller; searching through cities, soundscapes and weather forecasts to find meaning.

Single Girl Era is a dainty track for an appreciation of being single, having fun and embracing this stage in life. It’s a uniquely built track with soft tonality, and delicate vocals that are not quite raspy, but also not quite clean either. Her voice suits the humble explorations she writes about, and the production skills are elegant and complementary to her writing.

Night Out is about a ‘lonely dreamer’ wandering the crowds; not looking but being looked out for. Keeping a low profile is a mood, and this song glorifies it. The keys, mixed with smooth vocal layers and nimble little guitar licks makeup for a fun track to swerve to after dark.

Cloud City for me depicts a person sitting at the window sill, mulling over the presence of a storm. It contemplates the dull weather, while being closely aware of the greyness and the timidness; harnessing its energy to write… Em’s perspective and moods in this track can be easily resonated with. I like the fading vocals, and the dreamy yet joyousness of the song.

I enjoyed her choice of instruments and production techniques throughout the whole EP. Overall, a great and worthwhile listen! I urge you to give Em a go, as you’ll be seeing her in your midst this coming year! I’ve gained a strong sense of appreciation for her style and self-expression, and I’d recommend visiting her streaming sites to find a song for you. Cloud City is a gratifying and tranquil account of an artist; an EP to sit and enjoy from different angles.