MITCHEL EMMS

Vertigo At History’s Edge self-releAsed

Powerful solo debut from former frontman of The Treatment.

Up until this point in his career, Mitchel Emms has been best known for appearing on The Voice and fronting AC/DC-like rockers The Treatment, which makes the scope and breadth of his solo debut all the more surprising and impressive. Taking a cue from Steven Wilson and Elbow, Emms’ sound touches on postrock, prog, and a little pop (dare we say there’s the teensiest Coldplay influence?). He layers the sounds to create dips and swells in true post-rock fashion, but he understands the importance of hooks and melodies far more than your standard shoegaze band playing the same chord for 10 minutes while switching effects pedals. The singer plays or programmes everything himself, so it’s very much a studio project, although songs like the lighters-inthe-air anthem The Rain cry out to be played live, so hopefully Emms can assemble a band to tour this record. Other highlights include the gorgeous Message From The Water and Season Of Regret. It’s a heartfelt, honest record where the quality of the writing matches the intensity of the emotions, and Emms emerges as a potent new voice in prog.