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Metaphor is a powerful thing. When used like Micah Emrich does on his new single, “ICU,” it can be downright frightening.
The “shivers down your spine” facet of the song comes from how vivid the Milwaukee-based alt-R&B/pop artist gets with his lyrics. It’s a testament to his ability as a writer considering how well-trodden the subject matter is.
If you see the phrase “whoa-oa here she comes” and can instantly apply the correct melody, you know this story of love that makes you feel like prey. Hall & Oates told it in 1982, and Emrich tells it here in pulsating detail — first by setting up the scenario of falling in love “in the nighttime with a vampire,” and then describing just how wrong it can go:
Tell 'em that it hurts how bad I need you
Got me bleeding from my chest so It can feed you
Yeah you’re tearing out my heart and now ICU
I think that her intentions are pure evil
Done this to like hundreds of different people
Yeah you’re tearing out my heart and now ICU
Not the healthiest of relationships. The song, however, is a strong specimen trained on funk-infused R&B. A “wah-wah” guitar line runs through the track like a steady EKG readout, accompanied by snapping snare and a sneaky bass line.
Then there’s Emrich’s vocal performance, which gets started in just the right way with a couple ambient flourishes: a throat clear, a few yeahs and a throwback “let me tell you a story” to launch you into the first verse. The dude’s got pipes, and they’re running clean and clear.
“ICU” is the first single — with four more to come — off Emrich’s sophomore album, HARD TO LOVE, that’s set for release this fall. Listen to the track using the player at the top of the page or on the 88Nine airwaves throughout today (6:30 and 10:30 a.m.; 2:30, 6:30 and 9:30 p.m.).
