ALBUM REVIEW: Lucius ‘Wildewoman’

There’s something about Lucius’ music that makes you smile. The five member, Brooklyn-based group is breezy, different. With their infectious tracks, you can’t stop moving to the beat. ‘Wildewoman’, the band’s debut album, is very diverse. There’s an intriguing irony about it that will have you hooked; this is due to the perfectly elegant harmonies both whispered and sung with great femininity and charisma by the two lead singers, both former students at Berklee School of Music. This is a band that appears not to take themselves too seriously. Their strength lies in their peculiar way of being an Indie-Pop group able to combine vintage colours, playful guitar riffs, a taste of electronic sounds and powerful drums.

‘Wildewoman’ has a few tracks that are really interesting: ‘Turn Around’ is the song which best describes the album and its charm. What makes the track cool and fresh is the mixture of a good pop melody, Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig’s jovial vocals and the syncopated rhythm, which create a unique and fun musical moment. With ‘Hey Doreen’ you can really enjoy the catchy refrain, the different crescendos and the beautiful arrangements. ‘Tempest’ is strong because of the soaring harmonies created by the two girls and the mix of vintage colours with original and unexpected arrangements. In ‘Don’t Just Sit There’ you can enjoy the change in dynamics and the elegant effects on the voices, which first sing in unison and then create those characteristic, beautiful harmonies. The guitars’ sound in the background is full and well-rounded, bringing out the distinctive vocals.

Despite its quirky and edgy nature, this album is still firmly rooted in the pop genre. Each tune is charismatic and credible and can easily become a hit without being too predictable. This, essentially, could be the reason why this group is so successful and has received such critical acclaim.

In the US Lucius have just finished up a sold out tour. In the UK, they will perform at the beginning of April, with ‘Wildewoman’ released on the 31st of March. The guys will probably create a buzz amongst the European music industry because of their original music choices and their strong image. Only time will tell if they will be able to stay ahead of the game.

 

Letizia Ghisletta

Letizia Ghisletta

Letizia Ghisletta

Letizia Ghisletta

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