Single Review: Over Time

Emily Rice is an experienced singer/songwriter with considerable international experience and perspective. Working with We Stole The Sun, New Jungle Order and Aro among others, her prior work has garnered the stamp of approval from artists of the calibre of Kimbra-no-mean-feat. Emily approaches her new release Over Time, which is the lead single from her third EP to date, with a post-lockdown focus in terms of her motivation and lyrical perspective.

The Kimbra reference is as good a place as any to start. Rice employs some similar approaches in this song, perhaps most notably in using her voice as an instrument, as well as the means for delivering the words. In Over Time, Rice explores not just melody but crucially, harmony, rhythm and timbre as well. Listen closely for close harmony rhythm stabs, non-lyrical melodic hooks, and treated voice effects. Added to a jazz-infused lead vocal of a cleverly crafted melody line, this is a veritable textbook of ideas for a contemporary vocalist. This is very much a ‘singers’ song’, and there are new details to discover over many listens.

The overall effect of Over Time is that of a sophisticated, thoughtful, and well-constructed piece. There is plenty to listen to, and a great deal to keep listening for.