Bitch Bops and Baddies (Emily Vaughn - Artist Recommendation)

It was only a matter of time before I decided to write about Emily Vaughn because, in case you hadn't noticed, I Stan.

Possibly the best thing Apple's New Music Mix playlist has ever done for me, my first experience of Emily was her 2017 single, Mood, and honestly I've been obsessed ever since. Skip to 2020, we're an EP and several more singles down, and the obsession has not faded even a little. Here I'll be talking about Bitch Bops, her EP, and two singles, but I heavily encourage everyone to check out her entire catalogue, I promise you won't be disappointed.

Bitch Bops (Vol. 1)

With her debut EP, Emily tackles relationships from the angle of female empowerment, with the title track (sort of), 'Bitch', taking the abusive language hurled at women, and reclaiming it as a powerful term for self-acceptance. In an interview with Vanyaland, she reveals that the album title was actually adopted from fan discourse way before the EP title was even chosen, stating that "I guess I sort of accidentally fell into it because my writing can obviously be super sassy".

In the same article, she describes the EP as "100% me and completely authentic", and this really comes through in her lyrics, especially on standout track 'Pieces', as she laments how "I could be yours, but I know that I won't be enough". However, this self-reflection does nothing to detract from the fantastic instrumental, maintaining the energy Emily's tracks are known for.

The EP's most personal track, though, is far and away the closer, 'Mine'. Having been released as both a track on the EP, with the fun production that carries through the whole body of work, and as an acoustic which features on all my sad bitch playlists, the track deals with the realisation that someone just isn't as into you as they said they were. The acoustic really allows her vocals to shine, as they float over the minimal piano backing, making the candid lyrics ("you don't really wanna be mine") that much more impactful.

An EP for the sad bitches, the bad bitches, and everyone in between.

Baddie

Emily's most recent single, Baddie, gives the insta-baddie lifestyle an upgrade, and it's honestly never seemed more appealing. Accompanied by fun upbeat production, and a music video that sees her flexing hard, the track is described on her instagram (@emilyvaughnx) as a "feel good lil party bop" about "owning [your] sexuality, confidence, and being the baddie that [you are]".

A song to sunbathe and feel yourself to.

Over That

My personal favourite single she has released thus far, Emily really popped off on Over That. Produced in collaboration with Yuppycult, she describes the song (again, courtesy of her insta) as being about "acceptance, understanding where the hatred is stemming from, eliminating it, and moving on gracefully." Featuring a chorus that I will never get bored of, and stellar vocals, if you're even remotely considering checking out Emily's work, this is where I recommend you begin.

A song to dance to, periodt.