E.P. Review: Emma Ruth Rundle – Orpheus Looking Back
Reviewed by Paul Hutchings
Emma Ruth Rundle is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist and visual artist. Formerly of The Nocturnes and Marriage, she’s released five solo albums, the last being 2021’s ‘Engine of Hell’. A minimalist stripped back release, the album saw her gain many new fans as well as critical acclaim. ‘Orpheus Looking Back’ is three songs from the sessions that formed Engine of Hell but didn’t make the release.
It's a short collection, a mere eight minutes in length but there’s a quality here that is more important than quantity. Live favourite ‘Gilded Cage’ contains pent up energy, released in short bursts which fly forth unexpectedly from within the gentle acoustic track. Written several years ago, it’s full of fire which is suddenly extinguished. ‘Pump Organ Song’ was written as a reaction to Rundle’s collapsing marriage. Wracked with emotion, the use of an old pump organ provides the catalyst and the soundtrack to a relationship parting, and the changing ways of romance.
‘St Non’ was unsurprisingly written after Rundle visited the well, chapel and spring situated at St David’s in Pembrokeshire. It’s a delicate and beautiful track that lingers long after it finishes.
As a stand alone E.P. one wonders about the value of such a short piece of work, but add it on to ‘Engines of Hell’, which was a ferociously stark view of trauma and sadness, and it makes more sense. An E.P. which is worthy of a listen, whatever your musical persuasion.
