Emmy the Great may not be one of the British folk scene’s juggernauts, but she’s in a league of her own. On her new EP S, which was released earlier this year, she explores a dreamier side of things, all while maintaining her signature matter-of-fact delivery. At a recent stop at New York City’s Mercury Lounge (QRO venue review) on Thursday, February 19th, the intimate setting was a fitting place for her cozy, charming songs
These days, Emmy’s been mining different ways of being present, something she puts on full display in her performance. “This song is about texting,” she said by way of introduction for the digitally drained “Social Halo”, an S highlight. The imagery around this EP shows a fascination with holograms, and onstage she was joined by a pair of dancing phantom Emmys that are projected behind her in addition to her real-life two-piece backing band. There can only be one real Emmy the Great, though, and she’s armed with unforgettable songs like “Somerset”, “Dinosaur Sex”, and “City Song”, which dates back to her 2009 debut LP. Closing her set with S lead single “Swimming Pool”, she showed that there’s no time like the present.