If you fell in love with Lianne La Havas after hearing her song ‘Gone,’ this album is a must-listen. Blood is everything that’s good about ‘Gone’, and then some. Through my first listen I could tell that Lianne has honed in on her sound – and it’s really something special. Every song is incredible in such different ways, something that I find rare in the music industry lately. There’s nothing cookie-cutter about Lianne. She paints outside the lines with her lyrics and her music has my brain coming alive with bursts of colour.
‘Unstoppable’ was definitely the right choice for the album’s opening track – it’ll grab you in and make you want to turn your phone off, close your eyes, and listen to the whole thing. The chorus is as smooth as an ice-cold pale ale on a cool summer night. This song is the definition of pure bliss. Lianne always writes some kick-ass melodies, and this song is no exception.
‘What You Don’t Do’ is the kind of song that my grandparents would like – and I mean that in the absolute best way possible. This song is bound to be a classic (as it’s similar sonically to other classics). It’ll be used in proposal and engagement videos across the world. And, as NaturallyNeesh says in the YouTube comments, this song “makes me want to dance while holding a glass of Sangria.”
As one of the most instrumentally pleasing songs on the album, ‘Tokyo’ stands out. Lianne has a beautiful tone and the middle 8 to the outro is absolutely to die for. Lyrics like “all I’ve ever known is how to be alone / it comes naturally” are relatable to all ages.
Like its title, ‘Green and Gold’ has some beautiful imagery. Nearly every line in the song relates to sight. “We’re walking hand and hand on the warm white sands / I’m looking at a life unfold / dreaming of the green and gold.” The way that Lianne put her heart to paper will captivate your mind and soul and hold a place in your own heart.
‘Good Goodbye’ might seem simple, but it’s definitely effective. Its lyrics and one of a kind instrumentation will make you feel something you never thought you could, whether or not you relate. The fairytale-esque song’s strings and piano alone pull will pull on your heartstrings. It’ll make you feel nostalgia – a yearning for the past – through lyrics such as “everybody raise a glass / here’s to a good goodbye.”
There are so many things that are special about Blood. It was hard to fit everything into a single review. If you give this album a shot, I’m sure that it’ll make your top 5 releases of the year. I know that it’s made mine.
Words by Kaitlyn Midgett