Song you must know: Emily Wurramara, “Lordy Lordy”

Ahead of NAIDOC week, Emily Wurramara released her new single “Lordy Lordy” featuring Tasman Keith.

“Lordy Lordy” is a sonic as well as a visual work of art. In the music video, directed by Claudia Sangiorgi Dalimore, Wurramara and Keith are in the outback, surrounded by indigenous dancers as the two enjoy the area’s land. Wurramara does a good job of incorporating multiple genres into the song, with “Lordy Lordy” incorporating elements of R&B and pop.

Additionally, Keith’s verse offers an interesting change as he completely changes the tempo of the song at the beginning of his verse.

“Lordy Lordy” is Wurramar’s third single of the year, following “Magic Woman Dancing” in February and “Midnight Blues” in April. For Keith, it is his first verse of the year, his last single “TOO MANY REDS” will be released in November.

Since her official debut in 2016 with ‘Ngerraberrakernama (Wake Up)’ and her debut EP Black smoke Fast forward a few months and Wurramara has become one of Australia’s most successful Indigenous artists with hit singles such as “Lady Blue” and “Ngarrikwujeyinama” from her 2018 project. Milyakburra, which won an AIR Award for Best Independent Blues and Roots Album.

Throughout her career, Wurramara has been a committed activist for Indigenous rights and much of her music has had a strong cultural focus. Subscribe to was named after the island sacred to her family, and she also included family members on the album itself. She also released “Forever 15” alongside her fellow First Nations artists DOBBY, Optamus, Drmngnow and Emma Donovan in memory of Cassius Turvey, who died in 2022 after an unprovoked attack on his way home from school.

Music is always meant to bring people together, and Wurramara seems to know that, as she wants her music to uplift people. “Lordy Lordy” embodies what Wurramara excels at: great songwriting and vocal talent, with incredibly creative and meaningful visuals that highlight her culture.

In addition to the release of “Lordy Lordy,” Wurramara has announced her highly anticipated second studio album.

Titled NARAThe album, out August 23, follows the ups and downs of her life over the past few years, from winning awards and spreading her music around the world to her struggle with mental health.

Before her album is released, Wurramara has a number of performances planned, including at the NIMAs 2024 in Darwin on August 10.

“Lordy Lordy” (ft. Tasman Keith) by Emily Wurramara is out now. NARA is out Friday 23 August via ABC Music (pre-order here).