Esme Emerson’s ‘Centipede’ is a subtly intense evolution you’ll want on repeat
The sibling duo return with a new earworm.
Photo: Dajiana Huang
British-Chinese sibling duo Esme Emerson step out confidently with their new single, Centipede, a track that arrives quietly but leaves a lasting echo. It’s their first release since the Applesauce EP earlier this year, and it reveals a deeper shade of their sound: intimate, unsettling and beautifully crafted.
From the outset, Centipede opens with a measured pulse, restrained vocal delivery and an atmosphere heavy with internal tension. Lead singer Esme Lee-Scott’s lyrics dissect the corrosive effect of comparison — “the thief of joy”, as they put it — and play out like a conversation between two conflicting inner voices. The imagery of a centipede — many-legged, alien-like, feared yet strangely capable — becomes a metaphor for both longing and self-loathing.
Sonically, the track blends the subtle shimmer of indie pop with darker undertones: shadowy synths, a steady rhythm, and vocal lines that hover between contemplative and confrontational. The result is music that feels personal without ever becoming fragile.
The accompanying video and hand-painted artwork, directed and illustrated by Esme herself, expand the universe the song lives in. The visuals cast the centipede not simply as a pest or monster, but as a weird emblem of possibility and dread.
Since signing to Communion Records, Esme Emerson have steadily built momentum: two well-received EPs, acclaimed live shows and festival appearances. With Centipede, they’re clearly ready for the next chapter.
If there was ever a moment to lean in, this is it. Centipede is out now — and, yes, you’ll be thinking about it next week too.
Alongside the single, the band will be joining James Marriott on his tour, as well as going on their own headline tour next May.