Following a beautiful livestream from the Brunel Goods Shed and the release of her critically-acclaimed new album, ‘A Dark Murmuration of Words’, earlier this year, Emily Barker has today released her ‘Machine’ EP.
The ‘Machine’ EP is a three-track bundle that includes the original version of the track taken from ‘A Dark Murmuration of Words’, as well as a never-heard before special alternate version and an acapella version of the song. Inspired by Ava DuVernay’s powerful documentary 13th and the foreboding slave trade statues along the Charleston harbour front, the contumacious ‘Machine’ points out the interconnections between racism and climate change.
“To this day, global corporations continue to benefit from cheap labour from the system of penal servitude,” Emily remarked on the track. “The same machine that perpetuates slavery around the globe also perpetuates the abuse of the planet.”
Listen to ‘Machine EP’ HERE
Produced by Greg Freeman (Portico Quartet), ‘A Dark Murmuration of Words’ searches for the invisible connections that shape a rapidly shifting modern world. Recorded at StudiOwz in Pembrokeshire, Wales, the album is a timely exploration of climate change, racism, sexism, and myths of economic progress through the lens of what it means to return “home.” Uncut declared the album. “another impressive collection” and Clash noted the power in its, “potent, outspoken songwriting.” Highlights include the nostalgic ‘Return Me’, the gloriously defiant ‘Machine’ and the effortless album closer ‘Sonogram’.
Emily is perhaps best known as the writer and performer of the award-winning theme to BBC crime drama Wallander starring Kenneth Branagh. She has released music as a solo artist as well as with various bands including The Red Clay Halo, Vena Portae and Applewood Road and has written for film, including composing her first feature film soundtrack (for Jake Gavin’s lauded debut feature Hector starring Peter Mullan and Keith Allen).
