Save Me (Empress Of EP)
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Save Me is the third EP by Honduran-American singer-songwriter and producer, Empress Of released June 24, 2022 via her independent label, Major Arcana. The EP was preceded by three singles, Save Me, Dance For You and Turn the Table with Jim-E Stack released April 8, May 25, and June 23, 2022, respectively.
Critical reception
Save Me was favourably received upon its release. Fran Gonzalez of Madrid-based dod Magazine, offered a fairly positive review opining it as "a collection of fierce and scathing tracks where [Rodriguez] does not hesitate to bring out her most sexual side" and further praising Rodriguez's uncanny songwriting and production on the latter half of the EP, stating "The last blows of Save Me exhibit a treatment of electronics quite unusual to date in Rodriguez's range of resources, revealing us from more exotic and calm flashes of 'Kept Up' to more syncopated and dark textures of 'Cry for Help'".
Writing for Pitchfork, Hannah Jocelyn offered a more reserved and mixed review stating, "Save Me represents an opportunity to consolidate [Rodriguez's] sound while exploring less intense territory". Jocelyn further highlights the single, "Dance for You" as "the EP's most accomplished composition" but criticized certain repetitive song structures and lyrical motifs saying, "Almost every song climaxes with a section alternating between a synth riff and a title drop—each effective on their own, but noticeable when clumped together."
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Save Me" | Lorely RodriguezBJ BurtonJohan Lennox | Empress OfBurtonLennox | 3:18 |
| 2. | "Dance for You" | RodriguezBurton | Empress OfBurton | 3:21 |
| 3. | "Turn the Table" (featuring Jim-E Stack) | RodriguezJames Harmon Stack | Empress Of | 2:51 |
| 4. | "Kept Up" | Rodriguez | Empress Of | 2:37 |
| 5. | "Cry for Help" | RodriguezAndy SennettJohn Rocca | Empress Of | 2:50 |
| Total length: | 14:59 |
Notes
- "Cry for Help" contains a sample of "Melodies of Love", written by John Rocca and Andy Sennett, as performed by Pink Rhythm.
Personnel
- Lorely Rodriguez – vocals, synthesizer, production, writing
- BJ Burton – production, writing (track 1,2)
- Johan Lenox – production, string arrangements (track 1)
- Yasmeen Al-Mazeedi – violin, orchestra (track 1)
- John Rocca – writing (track 5)
- Andy Sennett – writing (track 5)
- Jim-E Stack – writing (track 3)
Technical
- Robin Schmidt - mastering
- Geoff Swan – mixing
- Alexa Hernandez - makeup
- Chris Horan - styling
- Natalia Mantini – cover photo
- Hair by Mya - hair