Emily Elbert - Woven Together (2022)

You have not have heard of Emily Elbert as a solo artist before, but there is quite a good chance you have heard her music. Elbert is quite a sought-out songwriter and guitarist who has already a series of collaborations with the likes of Esperanza Spalding, Leon Bridges, Jenny Lewis, and Jacob Collier to name just a few. After We Who Believe in Freedom, her debut from 2018, and a series of collaborations, Elbert is back with her new one, Woven Together.

Just looking at the names of her recent collaborators and the varied set of musical genres they cover, you can get an idea where Elbert is going here. While touching musical bases with roots, soul and jazz throughout, she is still firmly in the singer songwriter territory, but stretching that territory quite wide with her tight and melodic songwriting, excellent vocals and exceptional guitar work. The latter is an example in how to keep things simple, tight and perfectly suited to the music you are trying to connect you with your listeners.

Whether it is the jazzy “Stream of Consciousness” where Elbert’s vocals shine, or the Motown-style balladry of “Holding On To You”, Elbert shows how easy it is to cover a wide musical ground and still remain yourself.