Love Songs For Loners
Self-Released, 2022
8/10
Listen to Love Songs For Loners
The singer-songwriter Michael Paul Lawson now calls Texas home, but he also has roots in New York and Virginia, and he brings those influences to this lush and diverse sophomore album.
Lawson wisely places “I Know Where I’m Going Tonight” in the lead off position, where his smooth and expressive pipes mesh well with the country fueled hooks and dusty melodies, and “The One Before The One” follows with a more folk influenced acoustic guitar alongside light drumming and a hint of twang in the poetic delivery.
“The Snow” lands in the middle, and recruits some retro-rock spirit that showcases some bluesy guitar playing, while “Maple” finds a darker place to reside with its emotive textures and dense mood.
“849” and “Varick Street” exit the listen, where the former is a thick and driving country-rocker that is so well done, it alone is worth the price of admission, and the latter is fueled by acoustic guitar and emits some alt-country grit alongside flowing melodies.
A listen that thematically surrounds heartbreak and alienation, Lawson brings along Laur Joamets (guitar) and Billy Mercer (bass), and it’s a very thoughtful listen that will settle in well with fans of Justin Townes Earle and Wilco.
Travels well with: Derek Hoke- Electric Mountain; Will Payne Harrison- Tioga Titan