British singer-songwriter Emily Burns has announced her eagerly anticipated debut album Die Happy, due for release on 8th November via So Recordings. The announcement also comes alongside the single release of the LP’s title track.
Emily Burns
Die Happy, the album, is a collection of personal and candid songs that showcase Burns’ clear-cut and beautiful voice. From the soaring first single Balcony Floor, to the lo-fi electro-pop of Cheating On Her, it’s a project well worth the wait. Emily explains: “It feels hopeful, there’s definite sadness in it, but overall it feels like love, happiness, growth and acceptance.” The album, out 8th November, sees Burns team up with Jacob Attwooll (Dua Lipa, Raye, Aitch, Hamzaa), Josh Record (Paloma Faith, Becky Hill, Anne Marie), Nicole Blair (Sigala, JP Cooper) and many more.
The newly released lead single in Emily’s words, is both “the happiest yet saddest song I have written”. The track abandons dreams of materialistic successes and achievements to realise through the singer’s delicately written lyrics that love and experiences are really what’s important in life. Emily’s love for her girlfriend Grace prevails as she sings “If you’re the only thing that I achieve, I’d die happy”
Speaking on the single, the 29-year-old Livingston native says: “Die Happy came when I was feeling lost, confused and like I hadn’t achieved enough. It took a lot for me to continue writing music but, when I wrote this song I felt overwhelming pride. I realised that measuring success isn’t solely based on the things you have or fulfilling the life you dreamt up as a child. It’s more about finding true happiness. I looked to my partner and realised I’m more successful than I could ever have imagined and could “Die Happy” just knowing I’m loved in the way I am.”
Emily Burns has a knack for writing honest and raw indie-pop gems. In her music, earworm choruses are coupled with diaristic lyrics, her distinct storytelling – inspired by the likes of Joni Mitchell, Elton John and Julia Michaels – front and centre. Born in West Lothian, Scotland, and raised in Rugby, Burns started writing songs from a young age. She decided to pursue music properly in her teens, writing her own tunes and playing gigs, eventually moving to London when she was 18 to follow those dreams. In the capital her musical network opened up, particularly when she bagged a job on the front desk of iconic recording studio Abbey Road. Inspired by the huge names that passed through the studio, post-shift Emily would head up to the studio and record tracks, uploading them to Soundcloud as soon as they were finished and starting to build her reputation and eager fanbase.
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