Single reviewsThe Other Side Reviews

Emma and the Fragments – Back to Blue (2021)

Emma and the Fragments have been high on our listening radar with their high-octane punk and rock sound. With their single ‘Back to Blue’, they are taking us in a different direction with a more gothic feeling. With a restrained yet enthralling sound, the single explores the slow decay of a relationship. Using Brighton’s West Pier for inspiration, the band mourns the abandoned shipwreck of a past love.

While this single is quite different to the energetic tones that got us hooked to the band’s sound, there is something that is quintessentially them that weaves through it. With a constant lure of emotion, Emma and the Fragments let out a siren’s call that leads you into the depths of their sound. The single is also another wonderful taste of the band’s upcoming EP.



‘Back to Blue’ has an almost nostalgic feeling to the opening as it washes over you. The drums have you tumbling into the darker tones of the music that wash over you like the lapping of the ocean. As you are swept into the chorus, you get a serious hit of gothic sensibilities. There is a humming feeling of gothic darkness that swirls around your ankles and tugs at your hem. You can feel the twilight vibes of the track that highlights the slow decay of a once loving relationship. There is a captivating depth to the music that you can easily get lost in. While a departure from their usual pace, everything that hooks you to their sound is woven into the slower tones.

Emma’s vocals enhance the gothic vibes of the single while merging them with a rock style. There is amazing imagery in the lyrics that bring the death of a relationship to life. The lyrics are also really catchy and, with Emma’s performance, stick in your brain for a really long time. At times, her voice soars around the spires of the beautiful gothic architecture that is the single. This is a song that you can easily listen to at any time and get utterly lost in.

With a step from their usual energetic tone, Emma and the Fragments soar to gothic heights while exploring the slow decay of a relationship in ‘Back to Blue’. While there is a distinct rock tone in the melody, the swirling tendrils of gothic sensibilities are laced into the low levels. This is what Emma’s vocals ride as she uses vivid imagery and soaring movements to work through the death of a relationship.

Find out more about Emma and the Fragments on their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.

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