Miss Emily—The Medicine—Album Review—noblepr

Review By Darren McIntyre

Emily Fennell, aka Miss Emily, is a powerhouse vocalist from Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada, who began her singing career by spending summers competing & winning dozens of county fair singing contests. For more than 20 years she has channelled those principles, never shying away from an open conversation about struggles, abuse and old-school promoters, domestic violence and sharing it with her audience. Miss Emily is a Juno-nominated & Maple Blues Award winner, which saw her win Female Vocalist Of The Year, Newcomer Of The Year & Video Of The Year in 2019, Vocalist Of The Year in 2021-2023 and Nominated Blues Album in 2022. Miss Emily returns on the 7th November with a new album, The Medicine, and to whet our appetites, she dropped the singles Stand Together, Band Together & Solid Ground. which I reviewed for you earlier this month, I am pleased to say that I will now bring you the full album. Please settle in, grab a Jack & Coke, and prepare yourself to be blown away by this colossal musician.

My Freedom – Soulful, melodic, and powerful blues-soaked vocals let this toe-tapping groover come at us as we get a nice, cool, delicious low end that just allows the track to breathe. The snare drum punches work well with the cymbal taps that let the groove ease through this opening number as the killer Hammond keys leave their mark on this incredible number. The band are shifting through the gears as the soulful, bluesy tones linger and really give the arrangement depth, swagger and a real sassy beat that just puts a smile on your face as we welcome the incredible tones that Miss Emily brings to the table as this funky, finger-clicking groove really grabs our attention.

Stand Together, Band Together – The live track comes to life with a punchy snare drum beat that lets the track ooze from the stage as a nice, sweet, clean guitar lick wanders freely through the intro. , Miss Emily unleashes her colossal blues-soaked vocals as this mesmerising arrangement takes shape as the band wraps itself around this emotion-filled classy composition. The addition of blues-soaked Hammond-style keys really lets the track breathe as the song builds with ease as the musicality just shines through; the cool rhythm section is commanding the groove as a delicious low end drops in and hits us with mellow, groove-laden tones that just let the track settle in and weave its way through this fantastic, well-thought-out piece that just showcases the impressive, soulful, blues-soaked vocals that are running effortlessly through this toe-tapping country-blues affair. We feel the slick, crisp guitar licks come through, and they work so well with the epic keys that just add that something special to this fantastic number.

The Medicine – A haunting, cool Hammond key oozes from the intro as Miss Emily leans in and brings her smouldering tones to this blues-laden piece that just showcases the incredible versatility of this musician. The cool, punchy rhythm section comes at us with a punchy snare drum kick that lets this track drive forward and really deliver with a coolness that just lets us know that this album will be one that leaves its mark on anyone that has the pleasure of listening to it. The epic low end is dropping in and giving us a mellow groove that fits the arrangement perfectly as the band eases into the track and really gives us chills as the melodic, toe-tapping groove really captures what this incredible musician is all about.

Maybe – cymbal rolls ease through the intro as a slick, crisp guitar lick brings the track to our attention as the snare fills really let the track breathe. The towering vocals are just wrapping themselves around this epic arrangement that carries you to another place as we feel the emotion oozing from this incredible piece of music. The cool, dark, melodic low end is just hitting us with epic grooves that make you feel at ease as the cool, crisp guitar licks come through and let the killer Hammond fills really attach themselves to this smouldering beauty as we listen and feel contented as Miss Emily lets her soulful vocals lead the way in this incredible piece of music that lets her cut loose and really deliver sweet, mellow vocals that grab our attention from the outset.

You Make Believe – Cool guitar tones linger through the intro as Miss Emily eases in with her smouldering vocals that just let this track bring the blues as it lets the snare drum taps come at us. The bassline is with us, and it drops in and really wraps itself around this emotion-filled piece as the sweet Hammond tones bring a touch of the deep south to this awesome composition. We have a saxophone tone that adds depth and tone to this sweet, clean track that makes us feel like we stepped into a blues club and hear the incredible vocals fill every corner of the club as the band takes the track to another level with its sheer musicality.

Running Again – Piano tinkering oozes from the intro as acoustic strumming tones lead the way in this toe-tapping piece that brings the band front and centre as we let the vocals wrap themselves around us. The snare drum taps bring the rhythm section to our attention as the funky, blues-soaked number builds and builds as the epic Hammond tones leave their mark on this colossal track. The low end is hitting us with a real mellow, funk-laden groove that takes us on the journey with Miss Emily as she lets her melodic vocals lead the charge in this smouldering piece; the whole track just pops as the whole groove just brings a smile to your face as the killer keys really work their magic as a sweet, melodic guitar lick brings the track to a close.

Solid Ground – The track opens with snare drum brushes that just set the tone for this incredible blues ballad that instantly catches our attention as we feel the emotion oozing from this incredible artist. The sweet, slick guitar picks are sensational as Miss Emily allows us into her world as she lays herself bare with this colossal, thought-provoking arrangement that is littered with incredible Hammond notes that just elevate this mellow blues piece that has delicious grooves with lyrics that stop us in our tracks. The full-on bassline drops in and hits us with fantastic funk-laden grooves that work hand in hand with the fabulous guitar work that comes at us; the soaring, melodic vocals really wrap themselves around this fabulous track, and it transports us to the club where we lead our lady round the dancefloor as we immerse ourselves in the depth and emotion that comes armed in this track, which is just fantastic. Miss Emily is reaching inside her soul and giving us an insight into her emotions and where they take us as she navigates through this impressive follow-up track.

Smith’s Bay Drowning – Bluesy, sweet guitar fills ease into the track as Miss Emily comes at us with a real deep, soulful vocal that gives this track depth, tone and a real haunting feel. The low end is running freely through the track as it brings a cool, delicious groove that really allows the track to grow as the drum kicks ease into the arrangement. The tone is a real toe-tapping, cool beat that just lets the vocals flow freely through the track and really tells us that this young lady is the real deal and then some. The rhythm section is bringing cymbal rolls that just let us feel the intensity coming from this incredible record as the boys really elevate the groove with their incredible playing. We are losing ourselves as the tone wanders freely through the composition as the track eases into a smooth tone that just catches us off guard.

Remember This Song – We finish the album on a real toe-tapping, groove-laden feel as the Hammond tones linger through the intro and really give it a bluesy beat. The rhythm section is hitting us with a smooth snare drum tap that brings cymbal taps to allow the groove to build as we allow Miss Emily to take us on the journey with her as the boys lean in and really give us a smouldering, melodic track that really wraps itself around the colossal vocals that are the real star of this record as they take us on the journey with her and let us know that she is bringing her A-game with this fantastic piece of music that lets the boys come through and really deliver a record that will have us reaching for the repeat button for sure, as we will not be able to forget the album in a hurry.

Miss Emily –

Miss Emily – Vocals

Colin Linden – Guitars

David Santos – Bass

Michael Hicks – Hammond B3

George Recile – Drums

Track Listing –

My Freedom

Stand Together, Band Together

The Medicine

Maybe

You Make Believe