REVIEW: Amma Shines Brightly With Debut Project, “Middle Child”
REVIEW
REVIEW
☆ BY SAMANTHA SORIA ☆
Photo By Courtni Poe
MANY PEOPLE HAVE THEIR OWN DEFINITION — of what middle child syndrome means, but only those born as the middle child truly know what the experience is like. The perspective is a unique one, and for London-based singer-songwriter Amma, she shares that perspective on her debut project, Middle Child.
“What Am I Doing It For?” is a tender, smooth and vulnerable opening track that tackles fear and uncertainty that comes with fame. It’s also one of three other tracks—“Killing Cupid,” “If You Don’t Love Me” and “Blame Game”—that fans were already introduced to when the singer-songwriter released an EP last year.
“If Not You, Who?” is not only a personal favorite but a standout on its own accord due in part to Amma’s talent to emotionally connect with listeners, something the singer has prided herself on when it comes to her music.
In an interview with Numéro Netherlands, Amma candidly shared how the song was written for her sister, Raye. Before writing the song, the singer had been anxious about entering the session and not feeling inspired but it was that conversation with her sister that gave her the encouragement she needed to create.
“...There can be times where my sister doesn’t understand me at all and starts talking about experiences she had, which has nothing to do with what I’m saying, but on this day, she said all the right things and it really helped my ability to create,” Amma told Numéro Netherlands. “I made this song and then showed it to her that night on Facetime, and like the emotional person she is, she started to cry and told me all the things she loved about the song, but more importantly, how it made her feel. To me, that’s the most important thing about my music right now. What it can do for someone else.”
That ability to connect extends to the remaining tracks on the album such as “Blame Game” and “God Be My Witness.”
“Again” opens with lyrics that cut deep as Amma sings, “Imagine knowing something isn’t good for you and doing it anyway / Conscious that it’s bringing you hurt you’ll have to commemorate.”
“Talking to Jesus” is a standout R&B track, possibly the best one on the album but when stripping back to just a guitar and vocals, “What A Let Down” is anything but its name. In fact, it’s another demonstration of Amma's strength in songwriting with lyrics such as, “I’ve looked beyond your faults and loved you blindly / Tell me, what kind of woman does that make me?”
The closing track on Middle Child, “Man Oh Man” is grand in its production as it leans into its pop rock sound and shows off Amma’s incredible vocal range from beginning to end.
As a whole, Middle Child is a great accomplishment. Her goal to connect with those who find and listen to her music is successful. The 10 tracks on this album explore identity and a range of emotions in such a vulnerable way, that the collection is reminiscent of a mixtape—one filled with songs ranging from different genres and stories, all hand picked by someone special who took the time to craft a meaningful gift.
