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Neighbor Lady
Maybe Later
Friendship Fever, 2018
8/10
Though this is Athens, Georgia’s Neighbor Lady's first album, these 7 songs unfold like work from seasoned vets (members of Reptar and Semicircle also reside here), where indie-rock and alt-country twang meet in the middle. Front woman Emily Braden, who is the impetus behind the outfit, has an expressive voice made for lush sounds, and the songs complement her with rich textures that vary from haunting to dreamy and with the occasional driving rock tune.
Lyrically, it's just as meticulous as the music, with a reflective, brooding quality that’s as honest as it is terse, while a powerful and aching aspect exists whether the songs are stripped back or stacked with melodic noise. The impressive effort ends on one of the most adventurous tunes, “Wring Me Out”, where 6 minutes of psyche-influenced haze illustrate a sprawling, yet tightly knit collision of sweet fury. A great first effort with much potential here.
Travels well with: Lydia Loveless- Real; Big Thief- Capacity