Album Review: LAUREL - 'DOGVIOLET'
Critically acclaimed for creating all of her music in her bedroom studio, 'DOGVIOLET' is the debut album from London-based musician, LAUREL.
DOGVIOLET has swagger, with sounds that seem influenced by The Kills and Florence & The Machine. Songs like, ‘Life Worth Living’ and ‘All Star’ delve into the subject of feeling out what is going on with a relationship and the inequalities that can develop. “You played with me like I was the devil and I played with you like you were a man.”
‘Same Mistakes’ and ‘South Coast’ are more instrumentally simplistic and led by bass guitar, rather than guitars which allows Laurel’s piercing vocals to shine through – her falsetto harmonies take on a choral tone that complement the occasional rasp that comes with the more powerful notes. These subtly dip their toes into the genres of blues and country.
The newest single, ‘Adored’, is little bit more instrumentally complex and upbeat, with layering of guitars and amusingly, backing vocals that remind me of the noises No Face makes, in 'Spirited Away'. Previous single ‘Crave’ gives you all the indie feels, with a catchy guitar riff, and paints the picture of wanting someone to want you back, but not knowing how to tell them.
‘Sun King’ slows the pace down a little bit, in a song that is the age of tale of falling in love. Laurel’s piercing vocals come back in to play, over a stripped back guitar as she almost screams, “all I have been dreaming of is you.” ‘Recover’ uses that classic atmospheric/ underwater guitar sound to create a peaceful ending to the gentle rollercoaster of an album. “Are you still coming back, are you still coming back to me?” is repeated generously through the song.
If LAUREL carries on making music like this, then we will be back for more at one of her live shows. The 33 date tour, in support of DOGVIOLET, kicks off next month.
Album review by Tyler Damara Kelly
September
Thurs 20th BIRMINGHAM, The Sunflower Lounge
Fri 21st MANCHESTER, Soup Kitchen
Sat 22nd GLASGOW, Stereo
Sun 23rd NEWCASTLE, The Think Tank
Tues 25th SHEFFIELD, The Leadmill – Steel Stage
Weds 26th LEEDS, Oporto
Thurs 27th LIVERPOOL, Sound – Basement
Sat 29th BRISTOL, The Lanes
Sun 30th PORTSMOUTH, Wedgewood Rooms
October
Mon 1st BRIGHTON, The Hope & Ruin
Thurs 4th LONDON, The Dome Tuffnell Park