7/10

Originally recorded more than two years ago and then stored away while she went on maternity leave, Emmy The Great's fourth full-length 'April / 月音' is one of her most important and intimate releases she has ever released. Inspired entirely by a return to her birthplace Hong Kong, the record aims to bridge the gap between the person that she was when she was younger and who she has become now, making this music far more of a journey for both the listener and herself that than we have ever heard before.

From the start, 'April / 月音' wants to make it clear that this is more of a retrospective adventure than we are used to from her. While it fills itself with the same bright and vibrant direction that we have come to love her for, there are plenty of moments that see her offer a more personal direction to her sound. Creating a rich tapestry of contemporary and classic intentions, this new collection feels like a bold and glittering template of her influences throughout her life, showcasing this return as something more than just another Emmy The Great record, but a snapshot into her very being as an artist.

It was obviously written and recorded long before the pandemic took hold, and for that we actually feel universally grateful. Not only is 'April / 月音' a pleasant and uplifting listen, it does so without any knowledge of the difficulties of today, giving it a true air of escapism that we can all appreciate right now.