Grammy-nominated British singer-songwriter Lianne La Havas’ eponymous third studio album follows an extensive break from releasing music and a major breakup, the latter of which factors majorly into the themes behind the record.
Structurally speaking, Lianne La Havas is a concept LP with a song cycle travelling from the start of a doomed relationship to its bitter end, championed by the opening track and soulful lead single “Bittersweet” that epitomises the messages the album expresses as a whole. It’s stacked with confessional and emotive lyricism that makes me think of Amy Winehouse’s music when combined with Lianne’s soaring vocal delivery and the organic instrumentation that takes on a neo-soul sound with some additional jazz influences.
Her contributions to the record stretch further than her voice and writing, however, as she co-produced every one of the twelve tracks on the album. La Havas took her inspiration from nature’s infallible cycle of dying down and coming back stronger year in year out, rendering this self-titled album a beautiful microcosm of the changes, trials and tribulations life has in store for us all, especially in relationships as they grow and bear fruit. A very enjoyable and cohesive listening experience.
Highlights of the record include the lengthy “Please Don’t Make Me Cry” which, as one of the songs placed towards the middle of the tracklist, combines the honeymoon-esque romantic aspects of the first half of the record’s lyricism with the harsh reality of the world to showcase the degradation of the relationship as cracks begin to form in La Havas’ perfect vision of her partner. Lianne’s impressive vocals and the soulful backing voices create a beautiful if saddening atmosphere that explores a desperate and fruitless attempt to force two people to fall in love all over again.
Another track I enjoyed was the subdued “Paper Thin” where her vocals are delivered almost at a whisper; the accusatory lyricism suggests that the track’s subject refuses to be vulnerable and implores them to “give me the other key” to their heart lest they fall apart entirely, which foreshadows the inevitability of a doomed love. The song is a shining example of how the album’s subtleties are where it’s able to truly shine as Lianne realises that her lover is far from faultless and is beginning to hurt her (“it’s your life, but you’re not the only one suffering”).
My final highlight was the Radiohead cover “Weird Fishes” that La Havas certainly does justice to. The metaphorical lyricism about the necessity of escaping a confined situation complements the rest of the LP’s themes perfectly and the instrumental and melody fits the vibe too. It’s able to inject some rock influences into the mix as well as succinctly describe the unfortunately relatable sinking feeling that many experience at the tail-end of a relationship where it seems a struggle to get through the day without drowning in sorrow.
This deep dive into Lianne’s mind inspires me to explore the rest of her discography at some point, and when all is said and done it’s an excellent soul record that exposes the fragility of human connection.
8/10
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