Chicago trio Emitter are proving that exceptional music is entirely timeless with their latest offering. Arriving via a limited vinyl release on April 17th, ‘Extra Pale’ is the band's first full-length collection since the early 2000s, when their hit ‘White Trash Town’ dominated airwaves, major labels like Atlantic Records came calling, and their track ‘Love You More’ graced the silver screen in ‘Dog Gone Love’.
Far from a dusty historical artefact, this long-awaited record feels remarkably fresh and vital, delivering an authentic dose of storytelling rock n' roll that balances classic swagger with immediate urgency. The album’s journey to fruition is just as compelling as the music itself. Originally tracking the instrumentation at The Pop Machine in Indianapolis alongside Marc and Eric Johnson, the band recaptured their vision years later with a contemporary finish.
Reflecting on the process, the band share: “’Extra Pale’ is unfinished business for us. We made this record ourselves, just the three of us calling the shots, writing it, producing it, playing everything except the drums. It sat on a hard drive for almost 20 years, and we realized we owed it to each other to let it breathe. Working with Marc Daniel Nelson was the final piece. He gave these songs the sound they always deserved. At this point in our lives, it just felt right to finally let it out into the world.”
That sense of camaraderie is baked into every groove. The rhythm section lays down a robust foundation, allowing the heavy guitar work of Jason Chappell and Steven Van Der Griend to soar. Chappell’s powerhouse vocals anchor the project, blending a soulful, gritty resilience with a deeply emotive delivery.
The band explain the ethos behind the release: “This record is about brotherhood and grit. We went into the Pop Machine in Indianapolis years ago with Marc and Eric Johnson and built something we believed in. We played nearly every note ourselves, with Kenny Aronoff laying down the foundation on drums. Life happened, and the album never came out. Twenty years later, we realised we weren’t done with it.”
Tracks like ‘Carried Away’ and ‘Take A Drive’ supply massive, melodic hooks that sit comfortably alongside the introspective depth of ‘Through’. It is a wonderfully balanced record that avoids modern trends, leaning instead into the enduring appeal of guitar-driven anthems. As the band rightly note: “It’s not about chasing anything now. It’s about sharing something we’re proud of.”
To catch this triumphant return live, be sure to track Emitter's journey across Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for future updates.
