On her new album, Rosie Valland goes back to basics. Back to herself. Back to Emmanuelle. 

The one who wasn’t constantly in the gaze of others, who didn’t always want to please them. The little girl who listened to the ’90s pop divas in the car with her mom, dreaming of becoming a singer one day. Named Rose-Emmanuelle in full, she is now a strong woman who fully embraces this musical influence. 

For Rosie, her previous record, Blue (2020), was “not the end, but the beginning.” Likewise, Emmanuelle is “not a conclusion, but a continuation.” The artist is still on a journey of self-affirmation and authenticity, but it’s not strenuous anymore. This is a brighter new chapter. 

After writing and producing for others, Rosie allowed herself to follow her muse all the way, uncompromisingly, with the sole desire to be herself, instead of trying to fit into a format. Emmanuelle came along in a visceral burst of creation, when she was eager to return to her own creation, to her own music, to herself, Emmanuelle. 

Across the album’s 11 songs, Rosie describes how she feels powerless in the face of the suffering of others, her desire to comfort them, as well as her admiration for their resilience. She hints at some social issues and movements like #MeToo, and she tackles the anguish of our time, while avoiding the pitfalls of lament and pathos. Ultimately, her main themes are strength, feminism, and love. 

“After these challenging years, we won’t want to cry anymore, we’ll need to dance!” anticipates Rosie Valland. But the catchy melodies and beats of her songs don’t take away from the raw power of her writing. Here is uninhibited pop that serves two purposes simultaneously. It’s possible to have fun while still reflecting about the world.  

Let go and join Rosie and Emmanuelle. Let’s dance!