Emmecosta - “Effort”
Emmecosta is a post-club band from the little Italian town of Positano. They have been residing in Sweden for the past seven years and have recently released the mesmerising ambient-pop single “Effort.”
“Effort” is a dreamy and introspective song that transports the listener to a contemplative state. It is unusual and has hints of Blur’s experimental work, as well as Nicolas Jaar. The slow, finger-picked guitar sets a melancholic tone and fades in and out of the song sleepily. It is then joined by other lush guitar layers or synth keys. The processing and distortion make the sounds hard to distinguish. These sounds, though, are never overpowering or constant. The falsetto vocals are a perfect match for the overall mood, adding an ethereal touch to the track. The use of electronic percussion, looping and delays in the production add depth and atmosphere whilst gently padding the sparse arrangement.
“Effort” is a beautiful sonic journey. There are definitely nods to ambient music as the song has a mellow and pensive mood. The accompanying video, which consists of handheld film footage of a lonely plastic bag being blown across a barren, bleak cityscape, adds to the track’s feel. The whole package is a good piece of art and is worth checking out.