Live Review: Empress Of 'Water Water'

You know that if your latest track is an answer to a Buzzfeed quiz, you must be doing something right. That's the case for the latest single from NY based vocalist/producer, Lorely Rodriguez - aka, EMPRESS OF.

The single in question is 'Water Water', the first cut from Empress Of's yet-to-be-titled debut album. The album will be released at some point in 2015, by Terrible Records and XL. The backing of these labels shouldn't really come as a surprise, as 'Water Water' is probably the best dance song I've heard all year.

On her debut EP, Rodriquez kept things on a more subtle level, moulding intricate dream-pop across the three tracks - but it's not a total shock that the new single is more upbeat and dance oriented. You can feel the blissful dream-pop tendencies in the way the synths whirl and the vocal samples bounce around drenched in reverb.

The beats that used to be subdued are now the centrepiece of 'Water Water', heavy and constantly thumping, they create the perfect base for the electro-pop sounds. The warbling, wet organ sounds surround each beat and suit the track's imagery, where Rodriguez speaks of the importance of water - "Water, water is a privilege/ Just like kids who go to college."

This is my perfect version of a 'banger', it brings back the feelings of love for club music from five years ago. The production and composition by Empress Of allows for the verses to slowly build to a climactic chorus - which is a huge dark loud party, yet strangely intricate and complex.

You hear me club kids, this is what you should be raving to now.

Words: Tom Hutchins

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