Esme Emerson – Applesauce EP

Label: Communion Records
Released: 7th March 2025

Childhood memories have a particular way of shaping who we become. On ‘Applesauce’, the latest EP from Esme Emerson, the sibling pair turn their family photo album into something that’s both warmly familiar and refreshingly current. The collection blooms from seeds planted in their family’s garden, where an old apple tree stood sentinel over their formative years. What could have been mere misty-eyed reminiscence instead becomes a clever meditation on growth and change.

‘Too Far Gone’ captures the ache of youth without falling into the retro-worship trap. It’s a track that could have lived comfortably on a 90s teen film soundtrack, yet feels entirely present-day in its emotional directness. The strings that thread through ‘Together’ showcase the duo’s artistry, demonstrating how space and restraint can speak volumes. Here, the siblings’ collaborative instincts shine brightest – each element carefully placed to support rather than overshadow. ‘Yard’ proves they haven’t lost their pop sensibilities, while ‘Stay’ emerges as the EP’s beating heart. Beginning as an intimate whisper, it builds into something magnificent without losing its essential tenderness.

Throughout these four tracks, Esme Emerson weave experimental flourishes into their indie-pop framework with remarkable subtlety. Their shared history informs every note without becoming leaden metaphors, while their production choices – including what they describe as “wonkier, stranger sounds” – add depth without disturbing the delicate emotional balance at play. In looking back, Esme Emerson have found their future.