REVIEW

Emilija Karosaitė is an artist with an unconventional background, having studied contemporary dance at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre while also working as a music creator.

Her debut album is structured as a suite, combining short, mostly instrumental pieces with four fully developed songs. Drawing from classical music, folk traditions, shoegaze, and industrial textures, the result showcases a distinctive talent that resists any easy “alternative” label.

The sound balances delicacy and unease, occasionally erupting into searing, heavy noise, while the exotic resonance of the Lithuanian language adds an almost ritualistic atmosphere. Listeners may find points of connection in the melancholic dream pop and shoegaze lineage of artists ranging from Mazzy Star to Wisp, or even approach it as a kind of folk-leaning progressive work.

That said, Karosaitė herself has noted that she does not see her music as bound to any specific genre, and expects listeners to come away with very different impressions. Take these references as loose guideposts at most—the meaning and appeal of this album ultimately depend on what you bring to it.

As a bonus, the music video for the title track also highlights her background in dance. With its Dario Argento-style saturated lighting and a clear nod to The Exorcist, it’s especially recommended viewing for longtime horror film fans.