Platinum selling singer-songwriter Em Beihold has released her latest single ‘Scared of the Dark’, a vulnerable yet rhythmically playful track which explores co-dependency in a relationship.
The Los Angeles native is best known for her critically-acclaimed breakout single ‘Numb Little Bug’ which gathered over half a billion global streams and broke the top 20 of Billboard’s Hot 100. The song introduced listeners to Beihold’s candid lyricism and refreshingly real recounts of life and love, making her music a relatable and memorable entry into the pop music landscape.
The song follows Beihold’s previous release ‘Brutus,’ another introspective track which generated over 13 million global streams. ‘Scared of the Dark’ combines the singer’s distinctive wispy falsetto with pop synth beats and a rich piano refrain.
In the opening, we are greeted by a delicate, wistful tone which soon jolts into a bright bass line and beautifully abrupt confessional, keeping the listener on their feet. The listening experience captures the foreboding feeling which accompanies doubt in a relationship, something which really sets the tone for song and makes for a well-rounded, cohesive piece.
“I wrote ‘Scared of the Dark’ when I was in a relationship where my gut knew it wasn’t right, but I loved the person so deeply it made it hard to leave. I was in a very emotional period of my life and the co-dependency overpowered what I knew was the best for me.”
Em Beihold
Beihold admits that the project has been in the works for quite some time, as the singer revealed in an Instagram teaser that the chorus was originally written when she was just thirteen years old.
A known conflict between the head and the heart is what grounds the track and allows the listener to feel connected to the lyrics. Offering an insight into the internal battle with her feelings, Beihold sings “I’m scared of the dark, I’m scared of the part when no one else is home, no I can’t be alone.” acknowledging a brewing fear of isolation and uncertainty.
The singer’s creative vision is pushed further in the teaser for her upcoming music video, which boasts opulent visuals, as Beihold satirically poses as a pageant queen and introduces herself as ‘Miss Codependent.’
Beihold’s confessional style and masterful tempo changes are true indicators of talent, using emotive storytelling and bright shifts in tone to explore those thoughts that tend to play on one’s mind. Her recounts of the human experience are captivating and intriguing for the listener, and provide conversational comfort, as if you are talking with a friend.
The musician excels at honesty in her songwriting and certainly doesn’t shy from being her authentic self. ‘Scared of the Dark’ harbours a sense of matter-of-factness. Beihold’s message is upfront, direct and never gets lost in the backdrop of catchy rhythms, a juxtaposition which makes her music so unique and inviting.
‘Scared of the Dark’ is now available on all major streaming platforms.
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