Emily White, “Borrowed Man” from Staking Flags in the Valley (2014): One Track Mind

Share this:

Emily White’s just-released Staking Flags in the Valley is a worthy follow up to her 2010 EP The Resolution, and an excellent addition to recorded works dating back to 2005. The Chicago-based Memphis native blends an expressive and earnest vocal quality with evocative and colorful lyrics, combining her vocal and lyrical acumen with understated production. The result is an album which is more than the sum of its rich parts.

A 13-track crowd-funded project, Emily White’s Staking Flags in the Valley has plenty of stellar examples of her record-making skill and songwriting chops — perhaps my favorite of which is “Borrowed Man.”

The song starts with a tasty piano flourish which is intertwined with White’s acoustic guitar. Soon, the lightly shuffled drums come in just behind the vocals and the listener is on the edge of their seat. Lyrically, Emily White covers familiar cheater territory, yet does it in a sympathetic and tasteful way to belie the music.

“Borrowed Man” is my favorite track from Staking Flags in the Valley this week. There are a bunch of gems on Emily White’s fine new album which take its place from time to time.

Preston Frazier