My love probably isn’t big enough for Lianne La Havas. I don’t really partake in traditional romance, the kind of “love” she’s referring to here, so most of my affection would be restricted to her pretty doll-like physical appearance. I think I could get swept-up in her music though, to the point where, even if I’m not actually in love with it, my mind would be too hazy, my “heart” too fluttery, to tell the difference.
Some of these songs come close to demonstrating that fact, particularly the two in which she’s stripped down to just bluesy vocal melodies and an acoustic guitar. Age and Tease Me are both dedicated to “you”, the guy she’s questioning in the title, like every other song. The one that interrupts the flow is the one you can hear a guy’s voice replying back on, No Room For Doubt, which is also one of the album’s best.
Coming from a new pop artist, the set is something like a breath of fresh air. It’s not so hard to create this kind of cozy coffeehouse soundscape. All it really takes are skilled musicians playing live instruments softly as opposed to programming thumpy electronic ones. What makes it standout is the arrangement of the vocals on top, something this “love”-smitten Lianne girl has an apparent knack for.
my rating : 3 of 5
2012
ZYX :
The song “you can hear a guy’s voice replying back on”??? It’s a called a duet.
Deb Hawkins :
This album mostly chronicles her break-up with her boyfriend, so you kinda missed the mark.