Down the Rabbithole: Emei's Bold Dive into Pop Psyche
Written by: Andrea
Starting off her third EP with Ariana-esque breathy vocals and self-referential lyrics, Emei is poised to fit right in with the latest pop icons. Diving into downward spiral imagery, “Rabbithole” transforms into a high-energy dance track with a chorus of punchy synths that comes in after a “breathe in, breathe out” mantra to herself. It’s not just one thing; it aims to explore multiple sides of a person’s psyche.
Going in a wildly different direction, Emei experiments with a dramatic breakdown section featuring cash register noises and beeping sound effects reminiscent of M.I.A. “ALL THESE KIDS” offers a carnival/fair analogy to people taking her for an emotional ride. “All these kids wanna ride for free / Ride, ride, ride on my coattail swing,” she sings, layering her vocals in a mocking tone.
“9 LIVES” is a saccharine acoustic cut that fully delves into “sad girl pop” territory with lyrics about repeatedly apologizing to a partner and ultimately reconciling, yet never really getting comfortable with the circumstances of the relationship. “How many times can I say I’m sorry? How many times will you take me back?” she yearns deeply. She’s down to one life left as she considers whether it’s worth it to take someone back time after time. “How many times can I play dumb? You gave me 9 lives; now I’m down to one,” she reflects.
The penultimate track, “SUGARCOAT,” showcases some smooth R&B-style singing and stylistic vocal runs. It simplifies men to boys who can be placated with little white lies to avoid getting hurt. Sometimes, it’s what you have to do to appease someone who will never see your side of the story. “They’re simple creatures / All that you need is / A spoonful of sugar / Makes the boys go woo,” she pontificates. Play this song loud when you just want to get through the day without worrying about the long-term effects.
Ending the EP is “THE MASTER,” a trip-hop-infused song with a dark theme running throughout. It details the anxiety of navigating life on pins and needles. “Play the part,” she sings, signaling that you might have to put on a brave face to get through the day. It’s a massive and all-encompassing track that engages the listener to reflect on what Emei is trying to convey. She speaks of what she could become in the future—famous and in the spotlight—but at the sacrifice of her self-worth.
Listeners should be able to see the parallels between Alice in Wonderland and the stories described in Emei’s songs. This reference provides a foundation for the struggles she faces and has faced in her life. She comes back to the surface on the last track after her journey in the previous songs, preparing for the path ahead.
