Emily Reo's elaborate self-recorded songs are often studies in contrast, including the organic and mechanical, brightness and darkness, and musicality and atmosphere. Over time, her material has shifted from the murky noise-pop of her 2009 debut, Minha Gatinha, to the still complex but more vibrant avant-pop of her third album, 2019's Only You Can See It. Regular use of vocoder is a recognizable feature of her sound.

A native of Orlando, Florida, Reo self-released her first album, Minha Gatinha, in 2009. It was a collection of early recordings consisting of her distorted voice, synthesizers, guitars, drums, various natural and synthetic sound effects, and audible tape hiss. Reo upgraded her equipment and adopted a brighter sound for the still elaborate Olive Juice, issued in 2013. Though it arrived via Gainesville-based label Elestial Sounds, Reo had moved from Florida to New York, Boston, and Los Angeles before its release, and she was based in Brooklyn by the time she recorded her third full-length. Informed by mental health issues, including struggles with anxiety that left her tethered to her bedroom for a time, 2019's Only You Can See It marked her debut for Carpark Records. Recorded by Reo at various homes and studios in greater New York, it featured guest musicians including Jack Greenleaf of Sharpless and Ava Luna's Carlos Hernandez and Julian Fader, all three of whom provided additional production on the album. ~ Marcy Donelson