Artist: Emma Guzman
Song: “Clean”
Label: Little Bug Records
Genre: Indie Pop, Folk
Some artists are just born with it. That’s what the Detroit Metro Times must have thought of Emma Guzman, calling her a “songwriting prodigy” and one of their Top 15 artists to watch back in 2016, when Emma was just fourteen. Since then, she’s released three singles as part of Tidal’s Unplugged Artists program, and was made a resident artist at Assemble Studios Detroit. The artist, taking inspiration from fellow musicians like Jason Isbell, Phoebe Bridgers and Townes Van Zandt, crafts finely tuned indie pop and folk-leaning songs, with her most recent release “Clean” being a stunner.
Stripped back with just drum and piano accompaniment, “Clean” is a raw and emotional ballad exploring the discover of self-love following the heartbreak of loss. Guzman’s voice is pitch perfect, ringing out aches and pain without any extra flourishes. The track penetrates any kind of armor you might put up.
Check out this simmering tune in our Check This 2021 Playlist!
The Indy Review 