"What I Need," the newest single from singer-songwriter Emma Campbell, is a stunning indie-pop cut about longing and unrequited love. It's safe to say that nearly everyone has experienced the situation Campbell writes of at least once in their life: pining for someone who gives mixed signals and does not value you the same way you do them. It's such a universal matter that "What I Need" sincerely portrays. Campbell's lyricism is heartbreakingly candid and poetically sound. Lines like "Cause all you are is little moments / All you are is something I can't touch" embody the insecurity and despair of ephemeral, non-labeled relationships. For how brimming with relatability and pain it is, "What I Need" maintains to be upbeat and enjoyable to listen to. The track is a perfect late-night summer's drive anthem.
A self-proclaimed "Pop/Folk" artist, Campbell's newest single inhabits the best of both genres. "What I Need" balances a vivacious catchiness with hurting, raw lyricism. It makes complete sense that Campbell has previously cited the likes of Phoebe Bridgers and Taylor Swift as sources of her inspiration, as "What I Need" has the same melodic yet melancholic sound as songs such as "Kyoto" and "Red," respectively."What I Need" is dynamic musically and vocally. Campbell's harmonized singing is soft, rich, and emotive. And with its rhythmic guitar licks and pumping drum performance by Mark Swan, "What I Need" is instantly catchy. Yet, the track builds as Swan's drumming becomes faster and faster until the track soars in the chorus. By the time the pre-chorus comes around, the ballad, along with Campbell's vocals, is massive. "What I Need" is a sleek, brilliant indie-folk pop song with a sound bound to get stuck in your head and lyrics bound to linger in your mind.
Emma Campbell is a 21-year-old singer-songwriter from Toronto, Canada. The artist grew up in a music-oriented family and began playing guitar at 13. She has been officially releasing music since August of 2020, with her first single, "Freezing," an ethereal, acoustic ballad. From then on until 2022, Campbell continued releasing singles composed with fellow Canadian producer Michael Wojewoda. These included "Lit the Fire," "All That We Can Get," and "Wrong from Right," all of which landed on her debut EP, Oh Emma, named after another cut from the record. The EP focuses on guitar and piano-based tracks focused on its lyricism and emotions. On Spotify, "Oh Emma," has racked up over 15,000 streams. "What I Need," alongside Campbell's discography, is available to listen to on all streaming platforms.
Written By Lauren Nolan
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