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Sonic adventures abound as Emily Francis Trio return with their latest EP, Atomic, in Spring 2024.Emily Francis Trio are back with an EP of new music, building on the brand of electro-prog-jazz that they established with their 2022 album, LUMA.
Atomic explores themes of conflict and turmoil, the importance of wellbeing, and even the supernatural, with the Trio’s customary approach to melody-driven, dynamically rich, and sonically ambitious compositions.
Keyboardist and bandleader Emily Francis projects melody and harmony with an emotional intensity and laser-like focus on one hand, but Atomic also finds her at her most free-wheeling to date, soaring with the crackling energy of her synth leads and mix of retro and futuristic sound designs.
Bassist Trevor Boxall juxtaposes the fundamentally ‘old-school’ character of his tone, bringing thunderous low end, with an exploration of what the bass guitar can deliver on a recording with effects-laden and other-worldly treatments.
Jamie Murray’s explosively creative drumming demonstrates an enormous, and at times, restrained, pocket, leaving space for moments of impulsive inspirational touches, backed by his peerless facility.
Where LUMA was occasionally sprawling, with its share of 7-minute-plus tracks, Atomic takes a more direct approach, placing melody front and centre, employing cinematic-style leitmotif, and propelling the music forward with driving rhythm and groove. The sound palette is more important than ever, playing a vital role in bringing characters within the music to life.
Influences for Atomic are also more widely drawn. The Trio is well-known for its blend of 60s/70s electro jazz, synth-heavy prog, and reflections of both the Scandinavian and New York scenes, the core of which are all felt here. However, Atomic also shows more direct pop leanings, as well as borrowing from vintage TV sci-fi themes, and 20th Century contemporary classical and film scores.
The music takes the smaller, the internal, and paints it on a large canvas, whilst addressing the big issues facing us today by bringing them down to a human level. All underpinned by an optimism and reflective joy in three musicians finding ways to further develop their understanding and push their boundaries.
The Trio also celebrates its 10th anniversary with a remastered vinyl release of their first album, The Absent, breathing new life into the record. The band has been finding new ways to explore this music in a live context, transitioning the old into the new with their characteristically energetic and engaging performances.
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