The Driving Beat of Indie Folk
"Empire" is a standout track from Of Monsters and Men's debut album My Head Is an Animal. Like many of their songs, it features a driving rhythmic pulse and shared vocals between Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir and Ragnar Þórhallsson. The song requires a blend of soft, storytelling verses and a powerful, open chorus.
To sing this well, you need excellent breath management. The verses are word-dense, and the chorus requires sustaining higher chest notes over a loud instrumental backing. Let's break down exactly how to tackle it, section by section.
AI Coach Tip: Watch Your Diction
Because the verses move quickly ("Feel the ocean as it breathes..."), singers often slur words together. Our analysis shows that exaggerating your consonants slightly (T's and D's) will improve your timing score significantly.
Phase 1: The Rhythmic Verse
The verses are sung in a lower, conversational register. The challenge isn't pitch; it's rhythm. You are acting as a percussion instrument here. The delivery should be slightly staccato.
The Trap: Running out of air. The phrases are long. Make sure to take quick "sip" breaths at punctuation points in the lyrics, rather than waiting until your lungs are empty.
Phase 2: The Chorus Belt
When the chorus hits ("And from the rain..."), the energy lifts. This section sits higher in the chest voice. You need to open your mouth wider (drop the jaw) to get a fuller resonance.
- "Heavy with water": This line requires a solid chest belt. Avoid squeezing the throat; think of projecting the sound across a room.
- Dynamics: Don't start the chorus at 100% volume. Build into it so the final repetition feels massive.
Phase 3: The Harmonies
If you are singing this solo, you usually take the melody line (Nanna's part). However, the beauty of the song lies in the interaction between the voices. If you are practicing for a duet, awareness of the other part is key.
The bridge and the "Hey!" chants require diaphragm support. These are shouts, not screams—support them from your stomach, not your throat, to avoid vocal fatigue.
Frequently Asked Questions
For the main melody line, the highest significant note is a D5, usually hit during the energetic peaks of the song by the female lead.
Yes. The range is not extreme, making it great for intermediate beginners who want to work on rhythm and breath control without worrying about high C's.
Practice the lyrics slowly without the melody first. Focus on the tongue twisters. Use the "Speed Training" feature in Singing Coach AI to gradually increase tempo.
