ALBUM REVIEW: These Killing Times – Emma Ruth Rundle
Throughout her near two decade career, Portland’s EMMA RUTH RUNDLE has grown into one of modern music’s most uniquely brilliant songwriters. Her acclaimed solo career spans the spectrum of varying sounds and styles and has graced many a collaboration, and as a result, she’s placed as a very special artist within our world. It’s been a a while since we last heard from her, five years in fact since 2021’s Engine Of Hell, but sixth solo album These Killing Times sees EMMA RUTH RUNDLE soar, holding a mirror to reflect the turmoil of current times.
Whereas 2021’s outing saw RUNDLE stripped back at her most raw and vulnerable, These Killing Times sees the artist return to a more amplified approach, recorded as a trio, and the result is a powerful, collection of songs that conjure a whirl of emotions, packaged together in a album that flows perfectly. Where else to throw disdain at the absolute shitshow of the world than album opener Powerless. “Power corrupting, you had my trust. Empire collapsing, everything dust” RUNDLE croons as the album slowly begins before exploding into soaring chorus that is pure grunge nirvana. It’s an emphatic start to the record.
Quite the polar opposite to Engine Of Hell‘s fragility, These Killing Times is bold and striking, but still retaining that core essence of fragility that is accustomed to RUNDLE‘s craft. Anvil ebbs and flows from solemn guitars and keys to a chorus that simply soars, allowing RUNDLE‘s voice to take the spotlight. A quality use of dynamics. Catherine Wheel, meanwhile, feels like an anthem in the making thanks to a really snappy chorus and plenty of wicked 90s grunge influence baked in for good measure. Then, there’s Human Kindness, a near eight and a half minute epic that swirls with psychedelic-leaning riffs and hypnotic vocals that twist and turn, all building to a phenomenal crescendo in one of the album’s many, many highlights.
But perhaps These Killing Times‘ greatest strength is the expert use of pacing and structure, allowing the album to organically run its course, taking you through its multitude of ups and downs. God’s Picture, placed perfectly between album opener Powerless and Anvil, feels as fragile as glass, with soothing sax and keys gently guiding the listener to RUNDLE‘s voice, delivered with a whisper. Don’t Delay Heaven, croons and reflects, RUNDLE‘s beautifully delivered vocals intertwining with keys that chime and pull at the heartstrings, causing tears to roll down your face. It’s moments like this that stay with you long after its conclusion, testament to its staying power.
At this point, we’re running out of superlatives to describe EMMA RUTH RUNDLE. Deploying a vast tapestry of sounds and aural movements that conjure deep emotional resonance and with her voice as her greatest weapon, she truly is a special, special artist. Engine Of Hell captured the isolation and solitude that came with the days of the pandemic, with These Killing Times, RUNDLE holds a mirror to the state of the world and the resulting listen is nothing short of a triumph.
Rating: 9/10
These Killing Times is out now via Errant Child.
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