Los Angeles alt-pop singer-songwriter Emei drops her edgy new single “That Girl,” a mid-2000s alt-rock sounding tune with a shifting melody, slick hooks, clever lyrics and hefty instrumentals. Focusing on the social and internal pressures of trying too hard to be perfect, the song is a little self-deprecating, but not defeating.
“That Girl” is about, well, trying to be that girl — the one who is pretty, productive, put together, healthy, active in all the right ways, has the perfect job and juggles her life in a seemingly effortless manner. It chronicles Emei trying to hold her life together but stumbling along the way (like being late or not being able to get ahold of someone because she forgot to charge her phone).
After bending over backwards trying to look and be flawless, Emei lets go of her ambitions, realizing that she’s trying too hard to be someone she actually isn’t. According to Emei, she wrote the song “on a whim” after trying for weeks but ultimately failing at keeping a habit tracker.
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“The pop rock inspired anthem encapsulates the energy of wanting so badly to be that girl who wakes up at 6 am, goes on walks every morning, and drinks coffee black but never getting to that unattainable goal,” Emei notes.
Emei is an alt-pop singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles. Before she started writing music, Emei developed her stage presence from her experience competing on Chinese Idol at 15; placing third place on the show. Emei then began releasing her own music on Chinese platforms and eventually performed on Dancing with the Stars of China.
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When the coronavirus pandemic hit, Emei started releasing new music on American platforms, gaining media coverage from Ones to Watch, Early Rising, and Lyrical Lemonade. In addition to her own music, she has collaborated with the likes of Myles Avery, Gnash, Rob Auerbach, KiNG MALA, Jack Laboz, Luka Kloser, Jordan Lewis, LIIV, Pom Pom and more.
Words: Patti Sanchez
For more on Emei, make sure to follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
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