"Losing my first child as a teenager was unimaginable, but losing a young friend proves to be just as hard," says Emma Cole. An ode to Emma’s late friend and former bandmate, Laura Peters, Parallel is Cole’s newest track from the upcoming EP Analog Gurl. It’s a personal reflection on loss and the connections that transcend time, blending modern production with nostalgic influences to create a dreamlike sound that is both steady and understated.
Cole always strives to stand out with her analogue-inspired artistry in a music landscape where digital precision often overshadows raw emotion. She works to combine evocative, wistful sounds and heartfelt storytelling. Her debut EP, If You Don’t Holler, No One Will Hear, led her to open for Lauren Ruth Ward on her 2019 EU and UK tour. After stepping back from music for four years amid personal and political upheaval, Cole has made her comeback, shaping her experiences into a new body of work that speaks to adult female introspection.
Cole’s dear friend Laura Peters was known for her work with the band Psychic Love and the feminist collective Play Like a Girl, and she had a profound impact on Cole. In the song, Cole draws inspiration from the concept of the infinity mirror, creating a sense of endless reflection and connection, mirroring her friend’s lasting influence. Cole sings of Peters in Parallel: “Dreamt last night I saw you there / With your platinum hair and a drink in your hand, / Don’t wanna. I don't wanna say goodbye.”
Recorded at The Market Recording, a space filled with personal history and creative energy, Parallel tries to capture the essence of their friendship. This studio, run by close friends Peter Recine and Kyle Biane, was a significant place for both of them, making it the perfect environment in which to host the recording process. Recine, who recorded Psychic Love’s last album, brings a sense of continuity to the project, honouring the past while looking forward.
The music video for Parallel, filmed at The Odyssey Mirror Stage in Hyde Park, Los Angeles, visually encapsulates the song’s themes. Featuring outdated technology and infinity mirrors, VHS cameras, and a box TV, the video creates a surreal atmosphere that complements the song’s reflections. It also includes footage of Peters in her element, with her music, emphasising the deeper importance of the song to the artist. Cole’s music can serve as a reminder that while time moves forward, the connections we make and the memories we cherish remain an integral part of who we are.
