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The Grey Ship

EMA

“The Grey Ship,” EMA. The true power of this song doesn’t begin to reveal itself until nearly three minutes in, when an underwater chord emerges from the sonic depths like a sea monster surfacing in search of lunch. It’s a repeating eight-note riff that recalls Nirvana — “All Apologies” in a song where there are none to be found — but before it starts to sound too familiar, a sour wash of synths muddies the picture. Then Erika M. Anderson’s voice returns, double tracked, singing in harmony and counterpoint with herself. Her words, dusky and quavering, betray real pain; the “grey ship” of the title refers to the ships used in Viking funerals. And soon enough a Viking army of guitars has sprung up around Andersen, ferrying her across the roiling ocean with mesmerizing force.

As the lead track on this year’s astonishing Past Life Martyred Saints, “The Grey Ship” only hints at the haunting sonic shock-therapy to come. But for those who can’t bring themselves to hear the rest, this song stands on its own as a cabinet of dark wonders. 

(track via woonder)

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