Concert Review: Låpsley Is Ethereal Love At Music Hall Of Williamsburg
Låpsley live is a different experience in the best way. As she stands still in the middle of the stage, her voice emanates like light being released. The stillness or lack of movement from her body elaborates the vast movement of her voice. It is like hearing an angel sing a powerful message through its simple grace.
Hurt Me
The stillness of Låpsley’s presence matched with her moving voice makes her an enthralling live performer. She is almost like a stunning willow tree. Though firmly planted, the vocal leaves she drops bring life to her surrounding nature/audience. You can’t stop watching her rich voice as it leaves her to enter you. It is hard to describe her vocal prowess. It can be seen as smoky because of her deeper register, but the lightness of her breath and higher notes make it more comparable to the clouds in the sky: pure with a clear froth.
What is great about Låpsley’s music is that it sounds like a rave in Heaven. It is electro-R&B, which matches the synthetic beats with those of the heart. As the heavy, dark baseline contrasts the breathy, lightness of her vocals, they create a musical essence only she can carry. Moreover, it explains my consistent and affirmed mention of her celestial nature. Her voice touches the haunting, ominous rhythms with a gentility of a spirit reaching for a ghost. Yet, there is no clash: only entrancing blends. Songs like “Falling Short,” “Love Is Blind,” and “Cliff” are perfect examples of her ability to use darkened sounds to voice enlightened lyrics and chords.
Cliff
Låpsley has already been compared to Adele for their humorous, humble personalities, and perceived attempts at soul. While Adele’s music aims for the soul of a person, Låpsley aims for their sentimental dreams. While one sounds grounded, the other sounds like it is rising. Both beautiful sounds but distinct effects. When I hear Adele, I feel like my heart is being told the feelings it has locked away, while Låpsley tells my mind the dreams it has hidden from itself. Again, I am trying to drive this difference because I fear that the Adele comparisons might cause listeners to miss the uniqueness of this artist. She really stands alone and out of the crowd, which Adele does, as well, but in her own right.
Låpsley has been complimented for her wise lyrics, which is just another virtue/virtuosity to add to her talents. In aiming for deep, thoughtful words, she, inadvertently, creates lyrics that feel like a unifying of human sentiment. Somehow, this young woman has managed to understand and write about love better than older philosophers. Add that her voice can twinkle like a star, and the night-like qualities of her words and bass beats are revealed. I would recommend Låpsley for anyone seeking a genuine sound and voice . In addition, I would highly recommend her concert for fans. Her songs on record versus her songs live are like the difference between brand-name and freshly squeezed juice. Although we all love Tropicana, when we get orange juice straight from the tree, we are reminded of the fruit’s natural glory.
Check out her official website. Buy her debut album here. Listen to her music here.
Running Time: 1 Hour.
Låpsley performed on May 11-12, 2016 at Music Hall Of Williamsburg in New York City. For more information on upcoming events, click here.
