Growing up at age 19 isn’t easy for anyone — it’s messy, hard and sometimes feels like you’re falling on your face. Between breakups, makeups and emotional reckonings, American Idol alum and Cleveland-based singer-songwriter Emyrson Flora finds that the journey is no different. In her latest single, “for keeps,” released today, Sept. 27, Flora plays to stay in the game, capturing this whirlwind of hurt and young adult angst.
Flora, who first gained attention during Season 20 of American Idol at just 16 years old, has since embarked on her own musical journey with earlier releases like “air” and “naive.” On “for keeps,” she embraces “sad girl autumn,” breaking you into two and pulling listeners in with emotional intensity reminiscent of the bridge in Billie Eilish‘s “Happier Than Ever.”
In an interview with Melodic Mag, Flora discussed her third release, reflected on her American Idol experience and teased an upcoming, currently untitled project set to drop this fall.
How did you get started with singing, and how did that lead to your career?
I grew up singing in my bedroom by myself for my parents, and it kind of just was one of those things that was a chance I took, and it ended up working. And I met incredible people, I learned an incredible amount. And I mean, I was 16, so obviously it was like more of a boot camp for me than anything was. I got to, just like, absorb everyone else’s experience and talent and put it into my own craft, which is something that I’m really grateful for, because not every artist gets that. And so looking back on it, it’s one of the greatest experiences of my life, and I think will be forever.
Now that you’re releasing music like “for keeps” after previous singles “air” and “naive,” how do you feel as an artist?
I’m really excited. It’s been a journey. I moved to Nashville directly after I graduated high school last spring, and so I lived in Nashville for about a year, and got to just kind of find my footing in that way, like learn the town and the industry in whatever ways I could, and meet as many people as possible, and write as many different songs as possible, and find what feels like me the most. I’ve been writing for the last year and a half, pretty consistently, whether it’s alone or with people, and then releasing music is a completely different ballgame, because it’s one thing to write it and have that emotional release, and it’s very therapeutic for me, but it’s a whole different world being like, here, now someone can listen to this whenever they feel like it. It’s just really cool to see my growth from top to bottom.
Will you continue with a ballad-like, acoustic sound, or are you exploring other styles?
From the beginning, I’m a singer first, and that’s been something that I’ve been — it’s my instrument in a lot of ways, and it’s very important to me that that is showcased. Adele was like my biggest idol growing up. I’m just 19, so I’m learning my sound and also who I am as a human every single day. So it’s hard for me to say this is what I’m sticking to forever. But we worked really hard for this sound to be the base of my career, and a launching point that I can go anywhere from. These songs are very vocal-focused. That was the biggest thing when going into the studio, I don’t want that to disappear in a track.
Can you talk about what inspired “for keeps”?
For me, “for keeps” felt like a song for myself, and it was definitely a huge healer for me. It’s still extremely sad — I love a good sad song — but it’s also inspiring and cool to acknowledge those feelings and move forward. This song is about always giving more, always loving harder, and always being the one that’s playing for keeps. It’s a very emotional song, and I’m excited for everyone to hear it.
How does “for keeps” compare to your previous releases?
With “air,” it was very random, and I had no idea it would perform the way it did. “naive” was written in my bedroom when I was 16, and we recorded it in one take. For “for keeps,” we wanted it to feel as impactful as the lyrics are. The bridge hits you in the face in the best way. It’s just been cool to see how differently these songs have performed and connected with people.
What are you hoping fans will take away from “for keeps”?
For me, it was such a healer, and I think acknowledging those feelings—knowing that people relate with them — I hope it connects in the way it has with my life and the people who have heard it. Even though it’s sad, I hope it leaves a positive outlook.
You’re performing a hometown show in Cleveland next month. What can fans expect?
I’m so excited. I’ve wanted to do a hometown thing for a long time. I’m just excited to have a room full of people that I know and love, and that are supportive. There’s gonna be a lot of new music, and I want it to feel homey, intimate, and comfortable. It’s gonna be great.
Is there anything else you want to share with your fans or about your upcoming project?
I’m very grateful for the way everyone has responded to the music, and I’m really hoping everyone listens to “for keeps” and feels inspired by it. There’s so much to look forward to, and I’m excited for what’s to come.
Keep up with Emyrson Flora: Instagram // Spotify // X // TikTok // Facebook // Website
