Emily Blue

2018: *69 EP

On April 6, 2018, Blue released "Cellophane", an experimental and heavily synthesized pop track. This became the first single from *69 EP, produced by and written with Bad City's Max Perenchio. It was released on August 8, 2018.

The second song from this extended play, "Microscope", was released five days before the EP was out. The sound on the EP was described by Chicago Reader as "a glossy, idea-packed EP whose five tunes burst with pulsing electro beats and walloping synth-pop choruses". It was also said that a few listens to Blue's "Microscope" and "Falling in Love", "make it clear that she can translate her razor-sharp hooks into any musical language". The cover art for the album depicted the singer mooning the camera in front of a McDonald's.

On October 11, 2019, the singer released an indie-metal fusion track titled "17" on Spotify. The song was described both by reviewers and fans and by Blue herself as inspired by Lana Del Rey.

On October 14, 2019, Blue announced an 18+ LGBT music festival organised by her, titled ICONIC. The festival took place on December 6, at Schuba's Tavern and included performances from Chicago band Flora, artists Carlile, SuperKnova, Thair and GirlBoifriend. According to the festival's site, a portion of the proceeds went to nonprofit organization Brave Space Alliance, a pro-trans rights organization.

On November 8, 2019, Blue won first place in Chicago Reader's year-end Best Pop Artist award.

2020-present: COVID-19, new beginnings, The Afterlove

In 2020, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Blue launched an initiative entitled "Artists for Global Giving". The concept of the project was that artists in lockdown make tracks from quarantine within 24 hours, with all tracks compiled into a mixtape, the proceeds of which go to COVID-19 relief funds. Many artists promoted the concept on social media, with the process being dubbed "#1DaySongChallenge". The first volume of the project, "Artists for Global Giving | Mixtape #1" was released on March 25, 2020. "Social Distance", the fourth track on the album, is performed by Blue herself.

Blue released a new single titled "Aperture" on 8 May, which was first teased on 15 April. The song was premiered with a live performance on Good Day Chicago. The Deli called the song "ethereal" and said it was "more firmly planted in Dream Pop than Blue's previous singles", while Emma Maliborski of Chicago Haze said it "manages to send listeners to a vibrant landscape through their earbuds".

On 7 August 2020, following a live performance for Jack Daniel's via Audiotree, with two previously unreleased tracks "Prophet" and "Glow", Blue released a single titled "Trump.". The song is a protest song against Donald Trump in the genre of death metal.

Blue announced on Twitter on 27 August 2020 that she would soon release an EP. The expected date of the release is unknown as of now. On 9 October, she followed the news up with a cover of Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande's "Rain on Me", which features vocals from Chicago singer Thair.

On 26 November 2020, Emily Blue's long-term songwriting partner Max Perenchio died at the age of 33 in a car crash in Southern California. Perenchio produced the vast majority of her releases up until that point.

Emily Blue's first single of 2021, "7 Minutes", was released on 12 February. According to Wiwibloggs, it was sent to the song selection committee for Melodi Grand Prix 2021 before being released as a single. The song is the first release from Blue's third studio album.

"7 Minutes" was featured on Noisey's Top Tracks of February 2021.

The second single from the album, "See U in My Dreams", was initially scheduled to be released in June 2021. However, its release was postponed to July 23. It was met with positive reception, making it onto two of Spotify's biggest pop playlists. On the week of its release, the song peaked #35 on the Israeli digital charts, marking the singer's Top 40 debut.

Personal life Blue resides in Chicago, Illinois and Nashville, Tennessee. She is a supporter of LGBT rights and pro-LGBT organizations.

Blue is pansexual and non-binary and uses she/her and they/them pronouns.

Discography Albums Another Angry Woman (2016) 69 (2019) The Afterlove (2022)

Mixtapes Artists for Global Giving: Salud (2020)

Live albums Emily Blue on Audiotree Live (2019)

EPs Blackberries//Rico Acid (2017) 69 EP (2018) 1DaySongChallenge (2020)

Singles "No Pain" (2016) "Gene" (2016) "Empower (We Grow)" (2017) "Cellophane" (2018) "Microscope" (2018) "Call Me" (2019) "Bad Decisions" (2019) "17" (2019) "Aperture" (2020) "Trump." (2020) "Rain on Me" (2020) "7 Minutes" (2021) "See U in My Dreams" (2021)

Awards and nominations Year Awards Category Result 2019 Chicago Reader, Best of Chicago Best Pop Artist 2020 Chicago Reader, Best of Chicago Best Pop Artist 2nd Runner-up