Album Review: “Let It Be You” by Joan As Police Woman & Benjamin Lazar Davis
A sign of true genius is not only your ability to reinvent yourself, but also your ability to see what is already in front of you, capture, and present it to a world that may have missed a blatant gem. Such a feat is what Joan As The Police Woman by adding African flute melodies to enlighten the synthetic rock she and Davis are known for. Both have had long, prosperous music careers, with international renown, because they are unlike any artist. They are mutually fascinated with seeing the common music thread that unites different genres like classical music, pop, jazz, and punk in to this universal art form These three genres, alone, seem to different to have a union, but in Let It Be You that union is made and strengthened through a record of versatility and brilliance.
The Central African influence of this record is subtly palpable like a light sherbet after a hefty meal. Known for their creativity and cult-like following, Let It Be You has to be the most mainstream/ mass appealed record Joan and Davis have ever produced, which is far from a bad thing. Although the electronica, punk details of their music remain fervent throughout the record, with this album there is more of a feeling like, “I can hear this on the radio”. This cannot, exactly, be said for their previous albums nor was it ever their artistic goal. Both artists make according to their heart and mindful desires, to which I am glad they used their intelligence to elaborate the beauty of Central African music and its ability to cohesively meld with other genres like punk rock. Yet, amongst the string/ percussive compositions is a voice that smolders with loneliness and sultriness: Joan Wasser.
