ALBUM: Lissie 'My Wild West' - GigslutzGigslutz

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American folk-rock singer/songwriter Lissie has had one hell of a career so far, having two successful albums under her belt, supporting and impressing Lenny Kravitz, and being asked to perform at Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore’s wedding – fancy fancy. But one of her greatest achievements to date is her third studio album, My Wild West – her most personal and sincere yet, telling the tale of deciding to move back home to the Midwest after a decade in California.

Having arrived in California a fresh-faced young singer, Lissie pays homage to her time there by opening and closing the album with tributes to the West Coast. Kicking off with the slow-building ‘Hollywood’ – where she’s contemplating leaving to return back home, with a rumbling drum-roll and atmospheric piano throughout – she sets the scene for the emotional story of her decision making process to unfold over the next ten tracks. It does so beautifully, culminating in an acoustic final goodbye to her life in the Golden State with ‘Ojai’, a simple and heartfelt track, portraying a passionate farewell to a chapter in her life as she looks to a new beginning.

Along the way, Lissie’s return to her Midwestern roots not only happens physically, but is also reflected in her composition, starting with the triumphant pounding of ‘Wild West’, possibly showing her confidence in her decision to uproot her life and start again, to the husky ‘Hero’ where she longs for her own forty acres in the sun. The real hair-raiser comes from ‘Together Or Apart’, a tingling bluesy acoustic number with an endearing country twang, that could be seen as a love-letter to both her new and former homes.

Really showcasing Lissie’s knack for songwriting that tugs on your heartstrings, things dig down further with the deep cuts, ‘Sun Keeps Risin’’ and ‘Shroud’. The former an emotional tale straight from the soul dedicated to her aunt who sadly passed away from ALS, and the latter a journey of overcoming her own problems and coming out stronger on the other side. You really can’t help but stop to appreciate the power of an artist that in one track can move you so intensely that you want to stop what you’re doing straightaway to hug the closest family member, but then switches tracks to perfectly portray the feeling of isolation and depression, through a disjointed melody that feels like you’re losing your own mind.

Underneath the intricate guitar melodies, the delicate songwriting really shines. This is a woman who’s had a real go of it and isn’t afraid to wear her heart on her sleeve, from death, loss and isolation, to the hope and positivity that seep through in ‘Don’t You Give Up On Me’ and ‘Go For A Walk’, she doesn’t hold back. The result is a defiant, confident record that acts as a cathartic release for Lissie, clearing a blank space to begin again in a place that she can truly call home.

My Wild West is released on 12th February via Lionboy Records/Cooking Vinyl Ltd.