Queen Of Time
Kill Rock Stars, 2023
9/10
It’s been a transitional last few years for the artist Lindsay Lou. The loss of her grandmother, dissolution of her marriage and the Covid lockdowns have all weighed on her, but they provided the impetus for these powerful, feminine songs that often teeter on heartbreak.
The warm acoustic guitar of “Nothing Else Matters” opens the listen, and it comes with Dominick Leslie’s pretty mandolin that complements Lou’s expressive pipes, and “Nothing’s Working” continues the personal storytelling with Billy Strings’ contributions on electric guitar and vocals for a darker, folk climate.
Deeper into the listen, “Love Calls” makes great use of Joshua Rilko’s glowing mandolin and Melody Walker’s caxixi for the rhythmic and quirky delivery, while the bright and bluegrass fueled “Rules” soars loud thanks to Kyle Tuttle’s banjo and background vocals, plus Royal Massat’s meticulous upright bass plucking.
“Shame” and “Silent” exit the listen, where the former is a more rock focused moment that recruits Alex Bice’s crisp drums and PJ George III’s fluid bass amid Lou’s smooth pipes, and the latter is an intimate finish populated by Phoebe Hunt’s gorgeous violin and background vocals, as well as Matt “Mr. Jimmy” Rowland’s eloquent Rhodes.
Formerly of Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys, Lou has quickly made a name for herself in the singer-songwriter pool, and this pensive and well thought out version of Americana, roots, bluegrass and folk should certainly steer many more ears her way.
Travels well with: Trout Steak Revival- The Light We Bring; Kitchen Dwellers- Wise River