British-Chinese sibling duo Esme Emerson have released their latest single, "Afraid of Losing," from their upcoming EP Big Leap, No Faith, Small Chancer, set to be released on 28 June via Communion Records. The new track delves into the anxieties of adulthood, exploring themes of exhaustion, failure, and the struggle to stay afloat.
Talking about the singe Esme shared:
"‘Afraid Of Losing’ is about constantly feeling out of your depth, treading tirelessly to keep from sinking as you attempt to embrace the next wave that is adulthood. It’s about all the things you’ve tried to do to keep up throughout your life, how exhausting it’s become and how it’s never really worked. It’s about trying to snap out of your head, despite how good it can feel to feel bad, and appreciate the things around you before they, too, are swept under the current. It’s about realizing how little you seem to have grown and how so many of your habits remain unchanged as you repeatedly circle back; meanwhile, the fear of failure becomes increasingly imminent and gut-wrenchingly inevitable the longer you try to stay afloat.”
The duo, hailed as one of 2024’s hottest prospects, have quickly gained a dedicated fanbase since signing to Communion Records earlier this year. Their first releases for the label, "Please" and "Show You (Truck Song)," have garnered praise from prominent music and culture publications.
Esme and Emerson recently completed a UK tour supporting The Japanese House, including a sold-out performance at the London Roundhouse. Their music, which blends gentle melodies with electronic elements, has drawn comparisons to Big Thief and Slow Pulp.
Reflecting on their new EP, Esme and Emerson shared:
“This EP is about wanting to be good and kind and nice, but sometimes not feeling that way. It’s about the shame and guilt brought about by rumination and human mistakes. It’s about loving so ardently and so deeply, and how scary that can be. It’s about avoiding love so ardently and deeply, and how lonely that can be. Ultimately, it’s about the trials and tribulations of our adolescence and young adulthood. It’s a sincere reflection and a creative manifestation of both our insecurities and our growth."
Growing up together in their Suffolk family home, Esme and Emerson began writing songs during Emerson’s final year at university. They quickly realized how well their creative ideas aligned, finding comfort and joy in their shared musical brain. Their upcoming EP was written in their family home and co-produced with close friend and collaborator Hugo M. Hardy at his studio in London and Old Jet in Suffolk. The EP features artwork painted by Esme and a series of visualizers inspired by the pair’s love of visuals and literature.
Esme Emerson recently starred in Dr. Martens’ Lunar New Year campaign, further establishing their presence as multidisciplinary artists.
Save the date for Big Leap, No Faith, Small Chancer, and watch the video for “Afraid of Losing”:
