playthings

Scroll Down for a preview of "Broken Toys"!

Unicornland Studios resident artist, EmDubs, brings you


Playthings is a dynamic pop music exploration of self-discovery and liberation, a sonic journey where the boundaries between control and freedom blur. With each track, the album delves deep into the complex themes of breaking free from societal expectations, rejecting prescribed roles, and finding the courage to live authentically. "Playthings" invites listeners to confront the masks we wear, the games we play, and the scripts we’re given, encouraging them to embrace their true selves. This album is a celebration of reclaiming power, stepping out of the shadows, and discovering the strength that comes from choosing your own path. It’s truly an album by unicorns, for unicorns. What a blessing!

"Plastic Hearts"

A raw and haunting reflection on the fragile façades we build to survive. The song delves into the pressure to conform, to smile when we’re breaking, and to mold ourselves into something acceptable, even when it’s not real. Like plastic, we appear polished and unbreakable on the outside, but the weight of pretending eventually causes us to crack. "Plastic Hearts" captures the struggle of maintaining an artificial identity and the inevitable breaking point where authenticity becomes the only way forward. It’s a song about shedding the mask, embracing the flaws, and choosing to live unfiltered, no matter the cost.

Pull My String

An electrifying anthem of defiance and self-liberation. The song delves into the feeling of being manipulated—controlled by expectations, forced into roles, and shaped by the hands of others. Like a marionette, every move is dictated, every word rehearsed, until the realization hits: the strings don’t have to stay attached. "Pull My Strings" is about cutting those ties, reclaiming autonomy, and refusing to be anyone’s puppet. With raw energy and an unapologetic message, this track is a battle cry for breaking free and finally taking control.

Toy Soldier

A powerful declaration of breaking free from blind obedience and reclaiming individuality. The song paints a picture of someone trapped in a system that demands conformity—marching in line, following orders, and playing a role they never chose. Like a wind-up toy, they move as instructed, until they find the strength to take the key from their back and stop the cycle. "Toy Soldier" is about resisting control, defying expectations, and choosing your own battles instead of fighting someone else’s war. It’s an anthem of rebellion, self-discovery, and the courage to stand on your own.

Broken Toys

A poignant reflection on the wounds we carry and the longing to be seen for who we truly are. The song uses forgotten and damaged playthings as a metaphor for people who have been discarded, overlooked, or worn down by life’s hardships. Like old toys left on a shelf, we hold onto our scars, waiting for someone to see our worth. But beneath the cracks and missing pieces, there’s resilience—a quiet strength that refuses to fade. "Broken Toys" is a song about embracing imperfections, finding beauty in what’s been broken, and realizing that even the most damaged things can still be loved.

Player One

A high-energy anthem of self-reliance and empowerment, turning life into a solo adventure where the only rules that matter are your own. The song embraces the thrill of taking control, rejecting the need for validation, and stepping into the spotlight as the main character of your own story. With video game metaphors woven throughout, "Player One" is about mastering your own path, leveling up without waiting for permission, and proving that you don’t need a co-op mode to win. It’s a celebration of independence, confidence, and the freedom to play life on your own terms.

The Game's Not Over

A bold, rebellious anthem about refusing to play by someone else’s rules. The song challenges the idea of conformity, exposing the way society hands out roles and expects everyone to follow the same path. But just because the system is rigged doesn’t mean the game is lost. "The Game’s Not Over" is about taking control, rewriting the rules, and proving that true victory comes from standing out, not blending in. It’s a call to break free, challenge the status quo, and play life on your own terms—because the only way to win is to play your own game.

The Play's The Thing
A theatrical and thought-provoking look at the scripted roles we’re expected to play in life. Inspired by Shakespeare’s Hamlet, the song draws parallels between the stage and reality, where people follow rehearsed lines, wear carefully crafted masks, and perform for an unseen audience. But what happens when the script no longer fits? "The Play’s the Thing" is about recognizing the illusion, breaking character, and reclaiming the pen to write your own story. With a blend of drama and defiance, this track challenges the listener to step off the stage, remove the mask, and embrace the truth behind the curtain.