Alright, let’s dive into this little gem of an album—Secret Circus: The Hypnotist's Son by Emmy The Great. Released back in 2006 under Drowned In Sound Recordings, it’s one of those UK rock albums that sneaks up on you with its acoustic charm and raw honesty. It doesn’t scream for attention; instead, it whispers right into your soul.
First off, the title track, “The Hypnotist’s Son,” is unforgettable—not because it’s flashy or overproduced but because it feels like a secret shared between friends. You know those songs where every word seems to carry weight? This is one of them. The melody drifts along softly, almost hesitant at times, as if Emmy herself isn’t sure she wants to let you in yet. But when she does, wow—it hits different. There’s something about how her voice cracks ever so slightly during certain lines, making it feel real, lived-in. Like she wrote it late at night after everyone else had gone to bed. That vulnerability sticks with me long after the song ends.
Then there’s “Secret Circus.” Oh man, this one grabs hold of you without even trying. It starts slow, almost dreamlike, then builds into this swirling mix of strings and guitar plucks that just pulls you deeper. I remember listening to it while walking home once, headphones on, staring at the pavement like some moody teenager from a movie. And honestly? It fit perfectly. The lyrics are cryptic enough to make you wonder what exactly she means by “circus,” but maybe that’s the point—it’s not supposed to be clear-cut. Life rarely is, right?
What makes this album stand out isn’t perfection (because who cares about that anyway?) but its ability to evoke emotion without being too obvious. It’s messy in all the best ways, like flipping through someone’s old diary and finding bits of yourself scattered across the pages.
So yeah, Secret Circus: The Hypnotist's Son might not change your life overnight, but it’ll settle somewhere quiet inside you, waiting for moments when you need it most. Funny thing though—I can’t help thinking Emmy probably didn’t expect anyone outside her inner circle to hear these songs. Makes me glad we did, though. Guess sometimes secrets aren’t meant to stay hidden forever.
