LA-based singer songwriter Emily James unveils her latest single, Lovely Enough. Departing from her usual sound, James opts for a more stripped-back, intimate tone that allows her exceptional vocals and vulnerable lyricism to take centre stage.
The song’s poignant message centres around the pressures women face to be “lovely enough” in a world that often values them only for their appearance. James’ haunting vocals convey the fear and uncertainty that many women feel as they navigate these societal expectations, culminating in the powerful refrain, “If I’m lovely enough / Will they love me enough?”
Emily James, describes her new release in more detail, “It’s about the feeling that you can’t truly be yourself because of the fear that you might not be accepted or liked for the person you are on the inside,” Emily explains. “So often women grow up with the pressure to measure up to some ideal that society has created; to act and behave a certain way, to look a certain way, and to keep our emotions to a minimum in order to fit in and not be ‘too much.’ It’s very easy to go down a destructive path when you are so focused on pleasing everyone by trying to be the ‘perfect’ version of yourself and end up losing your true self in the process.”
Despite the weighty subject matter, Lovely Enough is a beautifully crafted song that is both musically and lyrically engaging. The melody builds steadily throughout the song, reaching a climactic moment that is both cathartic and memorable. James’ raw, emotive vocals perfectly capture the song’s themes.
The visuals show breathtaking shots of the talented artist walking through nature, lost in thought and contemplation. The golden hour shots showcase the beauty and vibrancy of the world around her, while the black-and-white shots add a layer of timeless elegance and sophistication to the video.
Lovely Enough is a triumph of a single and the music video is a stunning visual representation of the song’s themes, showcasing Emily James’ talent and adding a layer of visual depth to an already powerful piece of music.
Emily James’ EP GREY is set for release on 23rd June.