Save Me is the third EP by Honduran-American singer-songwriter and producer, Empress Of released June 24, 2022 via her independent label, Major Arcana. The EP was preceded by three singles, Save Me, Dance For You and Turn the Table with Jim-E Stack released April 8, May 25, and June 23, 2022, respectively.[1] [2] [3]
Save Me | ||||
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EP by | ||||
Released | June 24, 2022 | |||
Genre | ||||
Label | Major Arcana | |||
Producer |
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Empress Of chronology | ||||
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Singles from Save Me | ||||
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Critical reception
editSave Me was favourably received upon its release. Fran Gonzalez of Madrid-based dod Magazine, offered a fairly positive review opining it as "a collection of fierce and scathing tracks where [Rodriguez] does not hesitate to bring out her most sexual side" and further praising Rodriguez's uncanny songwriting and production on the latter half of the EP, stating "The last blows of Save Me exhibit a treatment of electronics quite unusual to date in Rodriguez's range of resources, revealing us from more exotic and calm flashes of 'Kept Up' to more syncopated and dark textures of 'Cry for Help'".[4]
Writing for Pitchfork, Hannah Jocelyn offered a more reserved and mixed review stating, "Save Me represents an opportunity to consolidate [Rodriguez's] sound while exploring less intense territory". Jocelyn further highlights the single, "Dance for You" as "the EP's most accomplished composition" but criticized certain repetitive song structures and lyrical motifs saying, "Almost every song climaxes with a section alternating between a synth riff and a title drop—each effective on their own, but noticeable when clumped together."[5]
Track listing
editNo. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Save Me" |
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| 3:18 |
2. | "Dance for You" |
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| 3:21 |
3. | "Turn the Table" (featuring Jim-E Stack) |
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| 2:51 |
4. | "Kept Up" |
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| 2:37 |
5. | "Cry for Help" |
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| 2:50 |
Total length: | 14:59 |
Notes
edit- "Cry for Help" contains a sample of "Melodies of Love", written by John Rocca and Andy Sennett, as performed by Pink Rhythm. [6]
Personnel
edit- Lorely Rodriguez – vocals, synthesizer, production, writing
- BJ Burton – production, writing (track 1,2)
- Johan Lenox – production, string arrangements (track 1)
- Yasmeen Al-Mazeedi – violin, orchestra (track 1)
- John Rocca – writing (track 5)
- Andy Sennett – writing (track 5)
- Jim-E Stack – writing (track 3)
Technical
- Robin Schmidt - mastering
- Geoff Swan – mixing
- Alexa Hernandez - makeup
- Chris Horan - styling
- Natalia Mantini – cover photo
- Hair by Mya - hair
References
edit- ^ "Empress of shares the dramatic and uninhibited "Save Me"".
- ^ "Empress of announces new EP 'Save Me', shares 'Dance for You'". NME. 26 May 2022.
- ^ "Empress of dances away the heartbreak on ecstatic new EP "Save Me"". 27 June 2022.
- ^ "Crítica: Empress Of - Save Me (2022) - dod Magazine". dod Magazine. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
- ^ "Empress Of: Save Me EP Album Review - Pitchfork". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2022-07-08.
- ^ "Empress Of's 'Cry for Help' sample of Pink Rhythm's 'Melodies of Love'". WhoSampled. 2022. Retrieved 29 May 2023.