Weirdo by Emma-Jean Thackray

Emma-Jean Thackray, the visionary producer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, today announces her highly anticipated second album, “Weirdo”, set for release on April 25th via Gilles Peterson’s celebrated record label Brownswood Recordings / Parlophone Records. Known for defying musical boundaries, Thackray's latest work is a deeply personal and utterly original exploration of selfhood, grief, and gratitude.

Drawing on an eclectic mix of influences—grunge, pop, soul, p-funk, and jazz— “Weirdo” is a triumphant celebration of survival and individuality. Written, performed, recorded, mixed, produced and arranged entirely by Thackray in her South London flat, the album stands as a testament to her extraordinary musicianship and fearless self-expression.

The brand new single “Wanna Die” is a striking blend of frenetic energy and emotional vulnerability. With its scattered, uptempo beat driving the track forward, the song juxtaposes its rhythmically playful foundation against poignant reflections on mortality and resilience. Thackray’s lyrics wrestle with heavy themes, moving between moments of despair and determination. The result is an audacious exploration of life’s fragility, delivered with raw honesty and wrapped in a percussive soundscape that feels simultaneously chaotic and cathartic.

“I think we need to talk about the dark shit in our heads, and finding the humour in it only makes that easier. The lyrics to this are very diary-esque, like confessional poetry, and the bare emotion of it is balanced out with lush jazz harmony, sweeping synths, and a pop punk silliness. When you centre in on the silliness it’s easier to speak on your pain, and easier for others to hear it.” - Emma-Jean Thackray

The music video for “Wanna Die” - written by Thackray and co-directed with Nick Suchak - is a surreal homage to 1970s television performances. Featuring a cameo from Gilles Peterson as the charismatic host, the video showcases Emma taking on every band member’s role, seamlessly embodying a full ensemble onscreen. With its retro aesthetics and playful nature, the visual mirrors the track’s spirited energy and introspective depth.

Originally conceived as a meditation on neurodivergence and mental health, “Weirdo” evolved after the unexpected loss of her long-term partner from natural causes in January 2023, resulting in an album that feels deeply personal and universal. With intricate compositions, raw emotion, and an unflinching authenticity, “Weirdo” is more than an album; it’s a masterpiece of resilience, a celebration of individuality, and a bold leap forward for an artist at the forefront of British music.

The album features standout collaborations with American artists Reggie Watts and Kassa Overall on tracks like the recently released “Black Hole” and “It’s Okay,” but its essence is rooted in Thackray’s unique voice. Blurring the lines between genre and emotion, “Weirdo” evokes comparisons to Meshell Ndegeocello, Kate Bush and Nirvana—on the dancefloor.

Emma-Jean’s journey to becoming one of the most talked-about figures in contemporary music has been anything but conventional. Born in West Yorkshire and classically trained at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and Trinity Laban Conservatoire, she spent her early career defying musical boundaries with her genre-blending sound. Emma-Jean grew up in a low-income, working class family. This alone makes her unusual, when over 92% of actors, musicians and writers grew up cushioned by medium or high-income backgrounds, according to the Office for National Statistics. Her rise to prominence included her self-released EP “Walrus” (2016) and the Jazz FM award-winning “Yellow” (2021), which solidified her position as one of the UK's most innovative musicians and saw her performing at iconic venues and festivals, from the London Symphony Orchestra to numerous Glastonbury slots.

The new project heralds the start of a new musical chapter for Emma-Jean as part of the revered Brownswood Recordings (Yussef Dayes, Kokoroko). An institution proudly rooted in London’s diverse music community, the label has become a hub for eclectic genre defying music, and feels like the perfect home for a boundary blurring musical force such as Thackray.

New album "Weirdo" out 25th April.

emmajeanthackray.com