At the young age of 25, Lydia Loveless has been a professional musician for over decade; hailed by music media outlets as a rising new artist in the early 2010’s, it is astounding that she is not a yet household name. With the release of her newest album, Real, that anonymity may soon become a thing of the past. While her music has always been raw, emotional, and brutally honest, Real shows Loveless taking a leap forward not only in style, but in personal growth and in her skill as a songwriter.
Never formulaic, the sonically diverse record features layered complexity and is magnificently nuanced—Loveless reaches into the deep emotional well, moving the love and pain beyond the mere palpable and into the realm of the transcendent. Its songs are passionately tender and heart-wrenching, yet hopeful. Much of Loveless’ previous work has focused on romantic relationships, and this theme continues with Real. Opening track “Same To You”, an anxious ballad, sadly begins with the lines, “If I say another word it’ll be my last/I can tell by the color of your face you’re mad…” Painfully, the message continues as Loveless uses her voice, both as singer and author, to connote an emotionally desperate sufferer of a less than stellar bond.
Lead single “Longer”, features gritty, crunchy guitar work, a bouncy groove, and nice backing harmonies, as Loveless’ emotive voice clearly conveys that she’s hurting, but that she will survive. “Heaven”, the most radio-friendly song on the album, builds a strong foundation with its funky bass line, and features ethereally dreamy and Spanish-inspired lead guitar work excellently executed by lead guitarist Todd May—yet, “Heaven” is an anomaly as her music is not generally linked to the pop genre.
Loveless has always been refreshingly fearless, truthful, and unapologetic in her sensuality, whether intentionally or naturally. Along with her exquisitely supple voice, it is her ability to tell a story simply, without pretense, that makes the listener strongly relate to her message.
Real is yet another Loveless tour de force; her star is rising and her legacy is growing. Who is Lydia Loveless? She is absolutely and unwaveringly real.
Purchase Real: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/real/id1118546197
[This lovely review was crafted by Hunter MacLeod, part-time freelance writer and full-time international man of mystery. Catch up with him on Twitter–@MadH_MacLeod.]
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