Album Review: Emma Jane - Lost At Last
Emma Jane leaves nothing on the table as she pours a hefty dose of Caledonian soul into her latest record. LOST AT LAST comes across as one of those defining albums packed with organic verve and a strong desire to claim the narrative. Feeling is at the heart of the sound this Scottish singer-songwriter generates, whether plugging into a semi rock punchy groove or slipping into the considered slipstream of a mellower number. A challenge is set from its extensive structural ambience, yielding top marks from those in tune with the mood.
Like any 56-minute 15-track effort, there are moments when you wait for things to happen and other times when you reel from a knockout effect. The regional lilt to Emma Jane’s vocals keeps things grounded throughout. Valuable studio time has moulded an effective release where Emma Jane secures a home for her driven songs and honed in on how different facets keep her writing tight and brimming with opportunist mettle.
There are three distinct structures to the album’s tempo.The first five tracks are almost scene setters led off by the tantalising opener ‘Growing Pains’ with its vivacious percussion and evocative vibes. Repeated chants of ‘hold onto love’ suggest the personal overture to the lyrics. You really feel the intent of the writing in title number ‘Lost at Last’ before the album takes a spiritual turn with the engrossing trio of ‘If I Had Wings’, ‘Try Me; and ‘Take Me Home. The first of this threesome bellows out a folk ’n’ blues aura with harmonica and an organic roots sheen, The middle one depicts the raw appeal of the album, while the latter is one of the highlights with minimalism, repetition and a calling parading its positive features. You get to the crux of a regional setting with a reference to ‘Clydeside stones’.
Then the switch is flicked and the sound amps up for four rousing tracks. The best of this quartet is the powerful ‘DNA’ containing a real surge and electrified excellence. The follow on trio of ‘Rainfall’. ‘Magic’ and ‘Live a Little’ maintain the momentum, and cement the band in full flow with the first of these proving a real gem.
From the first strains of ‘Dominoes’, the album starts to descend in tempo without losing its hold on the listener. Harmonies and acoustic delight emanate from the beautifully strummed ballad ‘Sticks and Stones’ before ‘Above the Water’ adds a touch of mystique. ‘The Maker’ has an endearing end of the night feel, while ethereal clouds drift out of the modern sounding ‘This World’. The seal of approval is tightly attached to the glorious closer ‘Gairbraid Ave’ with its personal eminence, delightful piano accompaniment and pure nostalgic elegance, entwined in the simple lyric ‘You and I.’
LOST AT LAST is an album strong in resonance and passionately curated. Emma Jane’s ambitious effort has paid off reigniting a talent that has been bubbling under for a long time.
Emma Jane explains 'This album has been a joy to create and is deeply personal. Across the 15 tracks, I explore themes of grief, self-discovery, and navigating life as a parent of a neurodiverse child. The name of the album comes from graffiti I discovered on a beach notice board in Gerona, which simply read: LOST AT LAST.
Who would have thought graffiti could act as such a powerful tool to reframe someone’s thinking and outlook. It allowed me to embrace the beauty of uncertainty and the freedom found in not always having the answers. The album reflects on those moments of feeling lost that ultimately lead to greater self-awareness, connection, and an appreciation for life’s quieter, often overlooked details.'
