Emma Pollock – The Law of Large Numbers
A quiet whirlwind of beauty, style, and substance define Emma Pollock’s new album The Law of Large Numbers. Pollock gives us her own brand of style with airy introspective soft pop. Her music is subdued and peaceful but nothing to be forgotten. She may begin and end this album with a gorgeous piano solo but don’t expect to be bored by piano ballads, there’s none of that here. “Hug the Harbour” gives us a kick start with a drum rhythm that stands out as much as Pollock’s soft Scottish voice. But if there’s any one song that you absolutely must listen to, it’s “Red Orange Green.” If the song title makes you think of a traffic light, well that’s exactly what Pollock was aiming for with her stop-go rhythm. A ticking beat and singing structure to match it will latch onto your brain and force you to hit the repeat button. It’s always amazing when the lyrics speak the music as Pollock sings, “My heart it goes beat, beat, beat. Listen this door it goes creak, creak, creak, creak. Listen this clock goes tick tock tick.” While the rest of the album will certainly hold your attention, it doesn’t come close to this traffic stopper.
“Chemistry Will Find Me” offers an eerie dark side that I didn’t know Pollock could summon. It is an intriguing contrast to the rest of The Law of Large Numbers and shows versatility rather than stagnancy. A menacing drum beat pounds away and mixes with soft guitar cries. Yet Pollock’s lyrics are not dismal. She knows love will find her. The Law of Large Numbers is an uplifting journey through Emma Pollock’s own struggles and revelations. It may not change your life but it will certainly be a pleasurable listening experience.
