Album Review: Lianne La Havas Is Lianne La Havas
Lianne La Havas has a voice that is the equivalent to honey; she drips amber notes to make you feel sweetened.The effortlessness to her vocality is rare and comparable only to artists like, Yebba and Alicia Keys; two fellow, female vocalists whose range, no matter how high, feels smoked like a stack building its own fire. We don’t necessarily, as listeners, realize how spiritual and even soprano a “smoky voice” can get, but Lianne La Havas’ self-titled album proves there is richness in a vocal rasp.
Out July 17, Lianne’s self-titled record feels apt in title. “Bittersweet” to “Courage,” La Havas is nose-diving into the beautiful, yet rough journey of self-acceptance. Each song appears both clearing to listeners and clarifying to herself; causing Lianne’s voice to come off like a narrator or journalist investigating and displaying the emotions of a young woman accepting that life is no what you dream….. life is the dream. In these crazy, very hard times the message falls on you like an angel landing on your heart; providing a light that is cheerful and not cheesy.
Lianne La Havas – Can’t Fight (Official Music Video)
Empowerment is a tricky thing to pull off without looking like a fallen, motivational speaker; eager to inspire while looking in need of inspiration. “Can’t Fight,” “Green Papaya,” and “Please Don’t Make Me Cry” feels like Lianne has, lyrically, written letters to herself, the world, and God to be tender with her. There is something so beautiful about the petition and image; asking the universe to be kind to your sensitive heart. In some ways, Lianne is observing one the of the most terrifying, misunderstood concepts of the human mind: submission. From “Read My Mind” to “Sour Flower,” she is ready to embrace life and herself like a woman whom is determined to stop and smell the roses. THORNS BE DAMNED!
Lianne La Havas – Can’t Fight (Official Music Video)
Sonically, Lianne La Havas’ Lianne La Havas is soft and twinkle in melodies. Her strings and percussions flow like a stream under trees of garland lavender. GOD! I am bringing out the IMAGERY for this record, but it is because Lianne has made her most imaginative album, and she has done it by simply opening up and dreaming of herself…. not for herself. The difference lying in that maturity is realizing that happiness is not in achieving things beyond or outside of you, like material things. Instead, growing up is realizing that happiness is achieving things within you. Click Here for Lianne La Havas’ self-titled album on July 17.
