Sexy-poignant R&B jam “Distance” has more than 11 million plays on Spotify, but I bet you’ve never heard it, and maybe you haven’t heard of Emily King, either. “Distance” is about fighting and making up and making a relationship work when there’s distance in the middle of it, about living apart and getting back together, with a rather sweet refrain (“Oh, love is always better / When we take time to get back to who we are / When we are apart / Distance makes the heart grow / Even when I’m lonely / Happy knowing that your love is never far”).
The NYC singer-songwriter has soulful, breathy-husky yet sweetly melodic and confident vocals (I’m reminded of Tina Turner, if not in sound, then definitely in spirit), and a few new singles with slow and easygoing grooves and subtly rich production that usher in a third studio album, Scenery, due out a week from today via ATO Records (home to Benjamin Booker, Alabama Shakes, and so many other high quality artists).
King plays Neumos tomorrow (Saturday) night. Warm-up from Oakland singer-songwriter Jennah Bell.
