From Viral Star to Visionary: Emilyn’s 'Antagonist' EP Dares You to Reinvent Yourself

Vancouver-based alt-pop powerhouse Emilyn is back with 'Antagonist,' a 3-track concept EP that tackles the emotional toll of chasing dreams while wrestling with burnout, ambition, and the courage to reinvent yourself. Already known as a sought-after vocal coach, co-founder of The Project Vancity, and a viral sensation with 13 million views on a single performance video, Emilyn proves with this release that she is just as much an artist as she is a mentor.

The title track “Antagonist” opens the EP with a witchy, cinematic edge. Dark synth textures and eerie harmonies set the stage for a rallying cry to embrace your shadow self. Emilyn’s vocal delivery is equal parts commanding and hypnotic, urging listeners to protect their energy and take ownership of their path unapologetically. It is an anthem for anyone who has had to draw boundaries to survive in a world that demands too much.

If “Antagonist” is the EP’s spark, then “Embers” is its glowing core. A slower, soul-infused ballad, the track paints a vivid picture of creative exhaustion, balancing vulnerability with quiet resilience. Emilyn’s gospel inspired harmonies shimmer here, giving the song a sacred intimacy. It is a warning wrapped in comfort: passion is powerful, but it will burn out without rest.

Closing the EP is “Side Quest”, a playful curveball that flips the narrative on struggle. With witty lyricism, layered production, and irresistible grooves, it celebrates detours and redefines what success can look like. It is a track that dares listeners to stop treating every step as a linear climb and start savoring the unexpected journeys that shape us.

Across the EP, Emilyn blends alt-pop, R&B, and gospel influences into a cohesive yet experimental soundscape. Her voice is the anchor, soaring with raw power one moment and softening into tender confession the next. Lyrically, Antagonist strikes a balance between self-interrogation and empowerment, making it an essential listen for creatives navigating their battles with purpose and perseverance.

With Antagonist, Emilyn does not just release an EP. She delivers a manifesto for artists and dreamers everywhere.

'Antagonist' feels like both a confession and a battle cry. What was the emotional starting point for this project?

This project started during one of the hardest years of my life. On the outside, everything seemed great because I was achieving so much. But on the inside, my mental and physical health were failing me.

I wrote these songs in a place of devastation and discomfort to remind myself of the power that I had within. And always, with music, I hope to pass that message on to others as well as myself.

How do your experiences as a vocal coach and mentor shape the way you approach your own artistry?

I always want to emulate the kind of attitude and openness to challenge that I encourage my clients to have, and that I witness them display every day. Singing and making music to me isn't just about what sounds good to others; it's about how far I can push myself as a musician and artist.

Every song I've ever written and recorded has challenged me vocally. Whether it's a higher note than I've ever dared sing on any other track, or it's a tongue-twister of lyrics. Sometimes, like in "Side Quest", it's coming up with stacks and stacks of vocal harmonies, stretching my vocal range to its limit, that in the final mix would be barely noticeable to the untrained ear. But that stuff is in there for me, and for the people who notice.

"Embers" tackles burnout with honesty. What personal experiences fed into that song?

A lot of the work I do is relational and community-based. Anyone who works with others, especially if they're good at it, knows the pull of always wanting to do more. I was doing so much community work that I knew I wanted to be done because I truly believed in making a difference.

However, I can't make a difference when I'm not taking care of myself; I found that out the hard way. Burnout is a sly beast, too; it creeps up on you ever so slowly. You start to believe that you're the only person who cares, or who can do the work. I was thinking about the image of fire and all its different forms. Fire is wonderful to sit around and keep warm, but it has to be controlled. I started thinking of my creativity in the same way. I don't want the fire to extinguish; I want it to stop burning me. 

You balance genre-bending sounds throughout this EP. How intentional was that fusion?

Very intentional! I don't want to exist in one genre, as many marketing gurus will tell you otherwise. I always find the most interesting art on the precipice of any categorization. I love the pop world, and there is such an art to it, but I also love jazz, R&B, soul, and more.

The people I chose to work with on this project were very intentional, and every person brought a different vibe and skill set to the mix. All of the bass and drums are recorded in the studio, and those players had been playing with me for years before we made this record.

I didn't just want to bring in my own flavours, I wanted to showcase what I knew they were good at. Additionally, I showcased the aspects of music that I love, which are cross-genre in nature.

With Antagonist closing a chapter, where do you see your artistry heading next?

The visualizations of the album are very intentional as well. The first photo, the one where I'm staring out the mirror into the audience's eyes, shows that I'm in a mode of self-reflection. Then, I gain my power in Antagonist, getting ready to jump into the waters, which to me were the challenges of my life at the time: my career, my community building, and my artistry.

In Embers, I try to keep my own flame lit, with the help of Keely Leah, my co-writer, and you'll notice we're deep in that water at this point. The last photo, the one that accompanies Side Quest, is where I'm getting out of the water, a changed person.

I've learned so much over the past 2 years since I wrote these songs, and I'm so excited for this next chapter. I'm not only going to be pursuing creating more music, but I'm also going to be helping others create. My dream in the future is to become a well-rounded singer, songwriter, AND producer.