Emma Howett’s new album ‘Control’ is an upbeat, eclectic, electro-pop love letter to herself, showing everyone that she doesn’t need any man, studio or label to validate her or her music. Anyone who is familiar with Emma and has followed her lead up to this album will recognise several singles that were released over the last few years, such as ‘Waiting For The Party To Begin’, which was released alongside a homemade music video back in April featuring her band ‘The Genuine Noise’, and ‘Why Am I Like This?’, the pulsing anthem about Emma’s journey into being diagnosed with ADHD and all the difficulties she faced pre-diagnosis.
Whilst the overall sound of the album is electro-pop, we see a few nods to other projects and previous releases of Emma’s in tracks like ‘Boys Club’, which is a lot more guitar-oriented and heavier, or ‘Coffee’ which gives the listener a pause and space in the form of a ballad, that harks back to her EP ‘Strictly Missonary’.
Across ‘Control’, the lyrics feel both raw and self-assured. Emma is clearly writing for herself and her own experiences – whether she’s giving herself a pep talk and acknowledging her differences in ‘Strange’ or defiantly rejecting external influence in ‘Cry Wolf’, there’s a sense that this album is as much a personal manifesto as it is a musical statement. In a time where pop is often polished to the point of anonymity, ‘Control’ is a bold reminder that imperfection and independence can be far more powerful. Emma Howett isn’t just making music — she’s building a world on her own terms.
By: Emilie Westcott