Familiar
Gearbox, 2025
9/10
The London resident Liza Lo plays many instruments along with plenty of friends for these thoughtful indie-folk and pop fueled songs.
The warm acoustic guitar of “Gypsy Hill” opens with Lo’s heartfelt and soft vocals alongside Ben Trigg’s emotive cello, and “Morning Call” follows with Tom Blunt’s thumping drums and Freek Mulder’s strategic bass adding a little more muscle to the climate.
Arriving near the middle, “Catch The Door” makes great use of Emre Ramazanoglu’s playful percussion amid the dreamy delivery, while “As I Listen” is an intimate and hazy moment of sublime beauty via the emotive vocals and Sean Rogan’s cozy keys.
Landing at the end, “What I Used To Be” recruits Wouter Vingerhoed for the flowing and melodic album highlight, and “Show Me” exits with much ambience and technical song craft that’s full of wonder and awe.
As a reference point, one might think of Alice Phoebe Lou or Julia Jacklin when listening to these songs that are often vulnerable, always thought provoking and charmingly retro.
Travels well with: Funkrust Brass Band- Make A Little Spark; Vanessa Collier- Do It My Own Way