THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Emma-Jean Thackray, the visionary producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist, is known for defying musical boundaries — and her latest work Weirdo is a deeply personal and utterly original exploration of selfhood, grief and gratitude.
Drawing on an eclectic mix of influences — grunge, pop, soul, p-funk and jazz— Weirdo is a triumphant celebration of survival and individuality. Written, performed, recorded, mixed, produced and arranged entirely by Thackray in her South London flat, the album stands as a testament to her extraordinary musicianship and fearless self-expression.
Originally conceived as a meditation on neurodivergence and mental health, Weirdo evolved after the unexpected loss of her long-term partner from natural causes in January 2023, resulting in an album that feels deeply personal and universal. With intricate compositions, raw emotion, and an unflinching authenticity, Weirdo is more than an album; it’s a masterpiece of resilience, a celebration of individuality, and a bold leap forward for an artist at the forefront of British music.
The album features standout collaborations with American artists Reggie Watts and Kassa Overall, but its essence is rooted in Thackray’s unique voice. Blurring the lines between genre and emotion, Weirdo evokes comparisons to Meshell Ndegeocello, Kate Bush and Nirvana — on the dancefloor.
The first single Wanna Die is a striking blend of frenetic energy and emotional vulnerability. With its scattered, uptempo beat driving the track forward, the song juxtaposes its rhythmically playful foundation against poignant reflections on mortality and resilience. Thackray’s lyrics wrestle with heavy themes, moving between moments of despair and determination. The result is an audacious exploration of life’s fragility, delivered with raw honesty and wrapped in a percussive soundscape that feels simultaneously chaotic and cathartic.
“I think we need to talk about the dark shit in our heads, and finding the humour in it only makes that easier,” she says. “The lyrics to this are very diary-esque, like confessional poetry, and the bare emotion of it is balanced out with lush jazz harmony, sweeping synths, and a pop punk silliness. When you centre in on the silliness it’s easier to speak on your pain, and easier for others to hear it.”
The video for Wanna Die — written by Thackray and co-directed with Nick Suchak — is a surreal homage to 1970s television performances. Featuring a cameo from Gilles Peterson as the charismatic host, the video showcases Emma taking on every band member’s role, seamlessly embodying a full ensemble onscreen. With its retro aesthetics and playful nature, the visual mirrors the track’s spirited energy and introspective depth.
Emma-Jean’s journey to becoming one of the most talked-about figures in contemporary music has been anything but conventional. Born in West Yorkshire and classically trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and Trinity Laban Conservatoire, she spent her early career defying musical boundaries with her genre-blending sound. Emma-Jean grew up in a low-income, working-class family. This alone makes her unusual, when over 92% of actors, musicians and writers grew up cushioned by medium or high-income backgrounds, according to the Office for National Statistics. Her rise to prominence included her self-released EP Walrus (2016) and the award-winning Yellow (2021), which solidified her position as one of the U.K.’s most innovative musicians and saw her performing at iconic venues and festivals, from the London Symphony Orchestra to numerous Glastonbury slots.”
