As of October 2nd, the final stand alone single of Rob Edwards’s much-anticipated EP has been released.
The release of the track Emerald Skies cements Edwards’s status as a poignant and culturally significant storyteller. As an artist, he has historically appeared to prioritise self-discovery and healing amidst a background of cultural strife and generation trauma. Emerald Skies, inspired by his experience visiting the lands where his great-grandmother was born, marks his continuing commitment to this sense of cultural reconnection, and explores the sense of loss and disconnection that inherently comes with being a part of the Stolen Generation.
“The experience showed me the power of asking, listening, and respecting this land. It was incredibly impactful to me, as it was the first time I had really felt a connection with our culture,” Edwards explains.
“It’s about learning what was lost and creating a conversation around the importance of re-establishing that connection—not just for me, but for future generations.”
The track is full-bodied yet intimate, smooth and atmospheric, with layered vocals and swelling guitar inflections. Traversing both history and genre, Emerald Skies boasts Edwards’s classic, characteristic blend of jazz, blues, and R&B. It sures up his reputation as an exciting emerging artist who is rightly proud of his cultural background and identity as a First Nations artist. This successful track comes off the back of national radio play on triple j for his songs Dreaming and Apmere, and captivating performances at WOMADelaide 2024 and the VAILO Adelaide 500, where he supported Robbie Williams.
His forthcoming EP promises more of the same: impactful storytelling with a mellow groove.
