Emma Geiger - “Empty”

Photo by Archer Boyette

Durham, NC-based artist Emma Geiger is easily one of our favorite folksy finds of 2023. After initially winning us over with her single, “All Your Words,” Geiger’s music carries such an authentic and emotional weight that we trust her completely, and it is with great pleasure that we feature her latest tune, “Empty.”

The track begins with some extremely raw acoustic guitar, finger-plucked to perfection and produced as though it is being performed right next to you. We’ve said this many times before, but when a song can deliver this level of intimacy straight out of the gate, we cannot wait to share it with rest of the world. Flourishes of Michael Grigoni’s pedal steel light up the soundscape, ensuring that listeners find themselves in a divine state of introspection.

Geiger has magnificently layered her vocal performance, gently gliding into your ears as she guides you through lyrics that divulge a tale of grief and the sheer heartbreak of letting go. And, as stated, we believe every word, for she has been blessed with a voice that not only delivers a magnificent honesty, but one that lets you vicariously experience every last bit of her anguish. “Empty” will both provide comfort in your moments of despair and completely rip out your heart.

An ethereal blanket of violin has been cast across the track by Emma Kelly, gloriously adding a substantial width to the already dreamlike soundscape. “Empty” remains relatively sparse in its arrangement, but the multi-layered performances from Geiger, Grigoni, and Kelly will leave you absolutely enchanted and it is not at all difficult to completely lose yourself in this dynamic work of art.

-HD