Emily Zuzik: "Age + Alchemy" (2025) CD Review

Emily Zuzik is a singer and songwriter originally from Pittsburgh and now based in Los Angeles. She has released several albums and EPs, including 2006's You Had Me At Goodbye (a title I love), 2017's Tender and 2020's Torch & Trouble. She lent her vocal talents to Ted Russell Kamp's 2019 release Walkin' Shoes and his 2020 album Down In The Den. Also in 2020 she and Ted Russell Kamp wrote and recorded a Christmas song together. Titled "The Christmas Star," that song also featured David Raven on drums. And now Ted Russell Kamp joins her on her new EP, Age + Alchemy, not only playing bass (and a couple of other instruments), but also co-writing several of the songs. Also joining Emily Zuzik on this release are Brian Whelan on guitar and organ (you know him from his work on many Ted Russell Kamp albums, as well as his work with Dwight Yoakam, Mike Stinson and Tony Gilkyson), and Christopher Allis on drums (you know him for his work with Michael Nesmith and Amilia K Spicer, among others), along with a few other guests on specific tracks. So, yeah, there is a lot of talent behind these six tracks.

The EP gets off to a great start with "Easy," one of the songs that Emily Zuzik wrote with Ted Russell Kamp. It's a song with power and energy, and with some seriously catchy elements. After "Dodging junkies out on the street," she tells us, "I want it easy, easy." And check out that great guitar work by Brian Whelan, who also plays organ on this track. This is a good rock number with a bit of country flavor to set things in motion. Emily's daughter Riley Holmes provides some backing vocals. Emily then mellows things out a bit with "Between Midnight And Memphis," also co-written by Ted Russell Kamp. Here she delivers a beautifully soulful vocal performance. "'Cause your memory keeps pulling me here/Somewhere between midnight and Memphis/On a road with no ending in sight/The engine just purrs/And my lonely heart stirs/And you on my mind tonight." This one also features some really nice work on electric guitar, this time by John Schreffler, who also delivers some good work on pedal steel. (You've heard John Schreffler's work on albums by Ted Russell Kamp, Funkyjenn, AJ Hobbs, and Lasers Lasers Birmingham.) This is one of my personal favorite tracks on the EP.

At the beginning of "The Case For Slowing Down," the musicians create a cool, alluring atmosphere. John Schreffler's work on pedal steel does a lot to establish that atmosphere, that mood, along with that cool bass line and rhythm. Here Emily Zuzik changes her vocal approach to fit with this atmosphere. Three songs so far, and three very different vocal approaches. She certainly has a lot of talent. And check out these lyrics: "I'm not crying, just trying to take the long way around/I'm not breaking, just making the case for slowing down/There's no universal law here, there's no easy right or wrong." I've always believed there is no inherent right or wrong, that we will have to feel our way through things. These days it seems that nearly everything is wrong. But not this music. This is just exactly right. "So if you're much too much in your head now/And you're losing sleep every night/It's time to put the foot on the brakes/And find a way that's working right." Yes, everything about this track is working so bloody well. This is a great song. That's followed by the EP's sole cover, a good rendition of John Lennon's "I'm Losing You," a song from that wonderful Double Fantasy album. Ted Russell Kamp plays both bass and organ on this one. Brian Whelan is on guitar, and Christopher Allis is on drums. "So what the hell am I supposed to do?" Emily asks, and maybe she really wants an answer. She delivers another strong vocal performance here. And Brian's guitar lead is something!

There is a more intimate feeling to "Taking A Walk," particularly to Emily's vocal performance. Again, I love the way she varies her approach from song to song. And I love that work on acoustic guitar. That's Ted Russell Kamp on acoustic guitar, as well as bass. Brian Whelan is on keys on this one. "Now I'm taking a walk just to pass the time/And you can you come for a walk if you want to be mine." There is something delightfully pleasant about this song. And I dig that instrumental section, especially the guitar work. The EP concludes with "Love's About Taking The Fall," which was co-written by Ted Russell Kamp. This one has a cool, sexy vibe, with a sound that reminds me of some of the music I grew up listening to. Adding to the great feel of this track is Art Hays on saxophone. The sax lead is sensational, the way it rises from the ground to poke holes in a dark sky with fiery fingers. "But you know that I'll always be honest with you, baby/Because love's about taking the fall."

CD Track List

1. Easy
2. Between Midnight And Memphis
3. The Case For Slowing Down
4. I'm Losing You
5. Taking A Walk
6. Love's About Taking The Fall

Age + Alchemy is scheduled to be released on May 2, 2025.