Azalea
Self-Released, 2018
8/10
The Nashville songstress Lydia Luce impresses us on this debut album, where her training in classical music blends with folk and Americana across songs with much lyrical depth and equally adept musical maturity.
“Helen” starts the listen and showcases Luce’s soaring, flawless vocals in a string friendly folk setting, and “Like You Do” follows with much beauty amid the acoustic guitar, low viola, and, of course, Luce’s expressive pipes.
Elsewhere, “Sausalito” flows with sublime beauty alongside the orchestral slant, while the title track recruits electric guitar as a soulful roots rocker finds itself being the album highlight. “My Heart In Mind”, also a very noteworthy track, then pairs intricate guitar picking with soft singing in the very graceful climate.
Towards the end, “Covered Up” is a playful, upbeat and busier display of diverse Americana, and “Strawberry Moon” benefits from pedal steel as a dreamy quality unfolds with much precision and timeless appeal.
Although her entrance into music began with the viola in her early teens, Luce is now a very well rounded artist who is quite versed in orchestral, chamber and classical ideas, all of which help make this first album both unique and exciting.
Travels well with: Ana Egge- Is It The Kiss; Lindsay Lou- Southland