The Influence of the Music You Keep Close
From early memories at home to songs that still feel like comfort, Em’s picks reflect a listener who’s grown alongside the music she loves.
Em (@3ms_vinyl) joins us for the April 10 to 14 prompts as someone who keeps music close in every part of her day, from quiet moments at home to concerts, Spotify playlists, and her vinyl collection. Her picks move from an album cover that invites interpretation to an artist she’s followed for years, and even to songs and records that carry memories, lift her mood, and stay tied to specific moments.
The prompts help us understand Em’s taste from different angles. One looks at illustrated album covers, and Em’s answer, much like the cover itself, focuses on contrast, led by an analysis that stays open rather than fixed. Another turns to the artist who never misses, and for Em that’s a story that stretches back to when she was 11. Another one asks about a comfort album, leaning into memory and specific moments, the kind that don’t fade as she’s stitched them into different corners of her mind. The next one goes after a mood-lifting track, a song that reminds her why she keeps coming back to hyperpop. The final prompt, a cover that outshines the original, ties music to film and nostalgia, where a song becomes inseparable from the moment it belongs to.
Which illustrated album cover do you love?
Bring Me The Horizon's album artwork for Post Human: NeX GEn appeals to me because it manages to blend simplicity with deeper emotional depth. While the design contains many complex and futuristic features, the girl and the bear like figure she carries stand out the most to me. This section of the album cover appears calm and precise, quickly capturing my attention and establishing a distinct focal point within the cover.
I especially like how simple this album artwork is, yet how much it implies. The girl appears fragile and almost doll like, with gentle features that stand out against the slightly frightening, mechanical features around her. The bear she holds has a strong symbolic meaning, as it could represent warmth, protection or even a connection to childhood. At the same time, it appears somewhat altered and stitched together, evoking a faint sense of discomfort.
This contrast strikes a balance between innocence and distortion, making the image simultaneously comfortable yet frightening. What makes this even more intriguing is how it fits within the bigger picture. Surrounded by mechanical aspects, this small peaceful moment feels grounded and almost human. It represents vulnerability, as if the girl is searching for something familiar within this new world. I also appreciate that the image is subject to interpretation. It does not convey a predetermined meaning, allowing us to interact with it in a more personal manner. This is my favourite illustrated album artwork as it is visually appealing while communicating emotion in a straightforward manner, making it both memorable and deeply meaningful.
Which artist never misses for you?
My admiration for 5 Seconds of Summer has been longstanding and extremely personal. I've been following their work since 2013, when I was 11 years old, and they've remained a constant in my music selection. Their ability to continually produce music that seems authentic and growing is what has kept me so interested in them over the years.
What I admire the most is their artistic development. While I appreciate their entire history, I particularly enjoy their second, third, and fourth studio albums. Sounds Good Feels Good, Youngblood, and Calm each depict a different stage of their evolution, sonically and lyrically. These albums show a distinct maturity in their sound while yet retaining the emotional honesty that defines their music. Youngblood has special meaning for me because it was the first vinyl I ever received, given to me for Christmas in 2018. That moment not only signified the start of my record collection, but it also solidified my attachment to their music in a more concrete and permanent way. Their steadiness is another reason I still admire them. Each release feels planned and meticulously prepared, and they have never disappointed me. Even as their sound evolves, their music remains relevant and impactful.
This year, being able to follow them around Australia during their October and November tour is very noteworthy. It symbolises a full circle moment after years of support, and it emphasises the long-term impact they have had on me as both an artist and a listener.
Which album feels like a comfort listen?
My love for The 1975's self-titled album stems from a place of comfort and familiarity it continuously delivers. It's an album I listen to frequently, not just for the music, but also for the memories and emotions it evokes. There is a particular mood to the record that is both nostalgic and grounded, making it a go to album in my collection (and my Spotify).
Several songs from this album provide such a warming, comforting feeling as I associate so many memories with them. Menswear and Sex have always been some of my favourite songs from The 1975, with others like fallingforyou, Antichrist, Pressure and Intro/Set3 coming in close second. These songs, both through lyrics and production create a reassuring feeling that I find myself consistently coming back to. They capture a mix of vulnerability and intensity that feels so immersive and personal.
What makes this record so comforting is its specific connections to different points in my life. I remember sitting at my kitchen bench in 2019, just weeks before my first The 1975 concert, watching lyric video on YouTube, desperately trying to learn all the words prior to the show. Or the time I used Intro/Set3 as a song for a montage for my art class in high school, showing videos of my friends, family and experiences. This album’s capacity to conjure up a feeling of nostalgia and comfort is what makes it so memorable and timeless. Each listen brings a sense of familiarity, as if revisiting a memory that hasn’t changed.
The 1975’s debut album is more than just a simple album for me, it’s a sense of comfort, a reminder of good times and a record that has amazing lyricism mixed with personal connection, makes it a lasting and significant addition to my vinyl collection.
What’s a song that instantly lifts your mood?
Brakence's nosering has a remarkable way of elevating my mood the moment it begins playing. I've been listening to hyperpop for years, following Brakence alongside artists such as Glaive and Ericdoa and this song is an amazing example of why I keep going back to the genre. There's a burst of energy and emotion in nosering that's instant and undeniable, making it one of those songs that can lift my mood instantly.
What makes nosering so captivating is Brakence's ability to balance passion with vulnerability. His voice is honest, making the song's emotions sound real and sympathetic. It's not just about the sound, it's about how it connects, as if the song is acknowledging the chaos and thrill of life in a very personal way.
Within the context of punk2 (which is one of the best albums ever!!), nosering embodies the album's study of identity, self-expression and emotional highs and lows. However, this song has a particular tendency to stick with me. It's the one I reach for when I need a quick pick-me-up, reminding me why I've been a fan of hyperpop for so long. Its energy is both grounding and stimulating, creating a soothing and exciting atmosphere. Every hearing of the song strengthens my admiration for Brakence's music and the emotional honesty of the genre. It's a track that continuously resonates, providing both comfort and exhilaration and reminds me of why Brakence's voice is one of the best within hyperpop.
What's a cover that made you forget the original song?
Rascal Flatts' cover of Life Is a Highway greatly reimagines the song, to the point where I often forget the original exists. Something about the energy of their performance makes it feel both fresh and eternal. It immediately draws me in with its first notes, producing a cheerful and invigorating atmosphere. For me, it's more than simply a cover, it's an experience that instantly transports me to a state of nostalgia, exhilaration and comfort.
Part of the song's enchantment stems from its association with Cars, one of my favourite movies and a comfort film. Cars exudes warmth and charm that feels effortless and coupling it with Rascal Flatts' version of Life Is a Highway heightens the sense. The combination of the music and the movie create a sensation of carefree joy that is uncommon in day-to-day life. It's both energising and relaxing, reminding me of the simple things in life.
What I like best about this cover is how it captures the feeling of optimism and motion. It's fast-paced and colourful, yet never overpowering, making it ideal for times when I want to feel energised or nostalgic. Rascal Flatts honours the original song while injecting it with their own personality, resulting in a version that feels completely their own. This song and the film it is associated with have become linked in my mind. They symbolise comfort, joy and the sensation of being taken back to times of pure delight. Rascal Flatts' Life Is a Highway is more than just a cover; it's a timeless hymn that combines music, film, and memory in a way that always lifts my mood.
Music has helped Em understand, not only this world, but her own emotions too. Growing up surrounded by rock, metal and punk, through her parents' love for these genres, she learned early on to appreciate energy, emotion and sincerity. This eventually found its way into her love for concerts, where the shared connection between performers and audience remind her of the power of music to connect and bring people together. A true believer of the transformative powers of listening to her favorite records on vinyl, Em squeezes into her daily routine a spin, or two. She started her own collection inspired by her father's collection of physical media.
A vinyl collector and concertgoer who has kept music close from an early age. Drawn to energy, emotion, and sincerity, and always chasing the feeling music creates.
