Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate) – “Some Doors Aren’t Locked, They Open Without A Key” (Stereogum Premiere)

Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate) – “Some Doors Aren’t Locked, They Open Without A Key” (Stereogum Premiere)

Marital emo duo Empire! Empire! (I Was A Lonely Estate) have a new split single with fellow Midwest greats Joie de Vivre out next week. E!E!’s contribution is “Some Doors Aren’t Locked, They Open Without A Key,” a cutely creeping mid-tempo ballad that feels like the midway point between the Get-Up Kids and early Sufjan Stevens. Many elements of classic emo are in play — driving rhythm section, pensive guitar arpeggios, childlike vocals, even an unwieldy title — but so are flashes of glockenspiel and trumpet, which add dramatic flair to the proceedings. It’s both pretty and powerful, and you should listen to it below.

The Empire! Empire!/Joie de Vivre split is out 11/4 on Run For Cover. Pre-order it here.

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