Emma Coates Stuns With Hauntingly Beautiful Debut “Borrower” in a Bold, Visionary First Release
- STAFF
- Jun 16
- 4 min read
By: Staff
Ethereal and genre-defying, Emma Coates delivers a breathtaking sonic experience on her debut single.
Emma Coates has arrived with a presence that’s both subtle and striking. She is carving out space in the indie music world with a voice and vision that's all her own. Backed by a standout lineup and years of presence in the Leeds music scene, she steps into the light with a solo debut that doesn’t just hint at promise; it delivers on it.
“Borrower” opens with a tone that immediately sets the stage: soft, calm, and disarming. The atmosphere is intimate, like stepping into a world that’s quietly unfolding just for you. The production technique here is clever. The notes feel like they’re expanding in reverse, growing dynamically instead of attacking and fading. It creates an impression of suspension, like you’re floating in the song rather than just listening to it.
As her vocals emerge, Emma Coates brings something deeply refreshing. Her voice isn’t just layered over the music; it becomes an instrument in its own right, woven seamlessly into the fabric of the arrangement. Her tone is delicate but resolute, delivering lyrics with a breathy clarity that commands attention with gentle restraint.
And what also makes the track so captivating is the interplay between her voice and the instrumental backdrop. There’s a mirroring going on. The arrangement seems to move with her, following the contours of her phrasing like a shadow. Twinkling textures flicker in and out of the mix, gradually blooming into lush harmonic support that feels both intricate and effortless. Nika Ticciati’s basslines ground this sonic atmosphere with restrained precision, adding warmth and subtle rhythmic weight that draws out the song’s jazz undertones.
Following that, the groove begins to stretch and expand. Louis Berthoud’s ghost-note-laced drumming gives the track a spontaneous, almost free-form energy. His work never overstates itself; instead, it flows like intuition, fluid and airy, in total lockstep with the song’s emotional current. Souter’s guitar, initially understated, begins to echo Emma’s melodic sensibility, then slowly unravels into delicate chimes that glint beneath her vocals. It’s all so carefully calibrated that when the song’s first mini-climax comes, it feels earned rather than expected. This emotional spike surprises you, leaving you hypnotized in its wake.
At around the halfway mark, an instrumental moment floats in like a breeze: soft, shimmering, and vividly tangible. It’s not a traditional solo so much as a passage where time seems to slow down. The notes fold outward into space like they’re being painted into the air.
Then, Emma hits us with a lyrical moment that stuns with its quiet power:
“In the age of steel let your voice run its course”
-is delivered with precise, staccato control and breathy softness. It lands like a whisper, yet cuts through with undeniable impact.
The second solo segment elevates everything again. Gentle chimes give way to soaring guitar phrases that feel like they’re sweeping right past you. Then comes the saxophone, played by Emma herself, and it transforms the song into something transcendent. The way it lifts the final third of “Borrower” is pure magic. It's bold, emotional, and elevates the track from beautiful to unforgettable.
By the time the final notes fade, there's no doubt. Emma Coates is crafting something that breaks boundaries. “Borrower” does not live in any one genre. It blends jazz, folk, dream-pop, and something unnameable that only exists in her world.
Her production team deserves massive credit as well. They have built a sonic environment that feels live and alive. Every layer is crisp but never clinical, soft but never washed out. The engineering strikes that rare balance between polish and soul.
What we heard in “Borrower” was not just a debut; it was a statement. Emma Coates is charting her own course. It is one we’re going to want to follow closely.
For fans of contemporary soundscapes that feel handcrafted, human, and deeply expressive, this is the moment to tune in.
Emma Coates’ “Borrower” is a spellbinding triumph of sound, emotion, and originality—an unforgettable debut.
There’s a rare authenticity that radiates from Emma Coates. She is a Leeds-based singer, saxophonist, and songwriter who has spent years embedded in her city’s music scene before stepping forward with her solo project. She leads her band with quiet confidence and vision, backed by a trio of gifted musicians: Harry Souter on guitar, Nika Ticciati on bass, and Louis Berthoud on drums. Each member brings their own artistry to the table. They orbit Coates’ songwriting with unity and grace. Her music leans into jazz, folk, and dream-pop influences. However, it’s her ability to blend these into something reflective and emotionally direct that truly sets her apart.
Her upcoming EP promises more of the thoughtful, layered storytelling that defines “Borrower.” She explores themes of feminine identity and personal growth with a lyrical voice that feels both grounded and exploratory. The way Coates integrates her saxophone playing into her vocal-led arrangements is especially rare and moving. Few artists navigate that duality with such control and finesse.
We are so excited to have found her and can’t wait to hear more from Emma Coates.
Make sure to playlist, stream and share “Borrower” by Emma Coates.
