7/10

Following on from her largely-praised 2014 album 'The Future's Void', US frontwoman EMA has returned to the fold with her latest full-length 'Exile In The Outer Ring', and much like her work to date, this new release aims to create a sonic experience that subverts the emotions and creates a dream-like state, filled with industrial production and a feel of never-ending flux.

While this album certainly has more in the way of a doomsday feel in many places, the record overall is a fairly uplifting affair. Tracks like 'I Wanna Destroy' and 'Blood And Chalk', despite their equally brooding sensibilities, have this undertone of high-spirited intentions. So while it may predominantly give off this feeling of impending doom throughout, their is still plenty of joy within EMA's songwriting, helping create a real juxtaposition within her work.

It may feel a little slow in places, but that is really the full intention of this release. She wants you to become immersed in this material, soaking up every beat and strained synth along the way. A suitable return for an artist who seems content on forever pushing the boundaries of contemporary music.