Lilly Hiatt – ‘Forever’ album review: embracing the haze of momentary bliss
THE SKINNY: Lilly Hiatt embraces the beauty of not having everything figured out. While some rock musicians navigate between certainty and ambiguity, she thrives in the glorious middle, writing straight from the heart—no matter what curveballs life throws her way. Perhaps this is because she embraced the haze before writing her latest record, Forever.
“I was on the phone with a friend recently who said she wasn’t sure where I’d been,” Hiatt recalls. “I realised I wasn’t really too sure of that either.” Forever begins with a delicate balance between the familiar and the unknown as Hiatt charges into her own beautiful world of isolation, searching for something deep within—something that ensures she will always feel whole. As she sings on the opening track: “Don’t need a spaceship, don’t even need a car / The Hidden Day is right here where you are.”
She charges forward with excitement from the off, navigating the perils and pitfalls of love and romance and how it can leave you feeling more like yourself than ever before. This defines the entirety of Forever, embracing everything from those deeper moments of self-reflection in the face of an all-consuming romance to the more vapid moments that would otherwise hold little meaning if experienced alone.
Written from a genuine place of happiness, Forever effortlessly sweeps you away, capturing those rare, defining moments when you wish you could linger in a place or feeling just a little longer. As a result, the record becomes a guiding light, offering empowerment in any form—whether through subtle, unexpected moments or the undeniable roar of the guitar.
For fans of: Unsolicited emotional outbursts.
A concluding comment from a librarian: “Sounds like something that would be on one of those road trip compilation CDs. Not for me.”
Forever track by track:
Release Date: January 31st | Producer: Coley Hinson | Label: New West Records
‘Hidden Day’: Even without any prior knowledge about Hiatt or her music, it’s easy to gain a sense of her direction with Forever the moment ‘Hidden Day’ kicks in. While some might find the predictability off-putting, Hiatt’s deliberate expression is refreshing here, as she makes it immediately clear she knows exactly who she wants to be. [3.5/5]
‘Shouldn’t Be’: There are many great snippets of charm within ‘Shouldn’t Be’, starting with how it immediately grips with its crisp guitar riff and endearing melody. However, the real star emerges with the mid-section guitar solo, reminding us that Hiatt is just as adept at crafting “fun” music as she is at producing more self-reflective pieces. [4/5]
‘Ghost Ship’: “People searchin’, I’m seeking too / Looking for anything to sink my teeth into,” Hiatt sings, beginning ‘Ghost Ship’ with wistful musings about self-discovery and the infinite quest to find belonging and meaning. Her voice undoubtedly shines more here, showcasing a delicacy underscored by gritty authenticity. [3.5/5]
‘Somewhere’: Hiatt’s voice on ‘Somewhere’ carries a dreamy, ethereal quality that perfectly complements the song’s rich, textured guitars. Her delicate vocal delivery also softens the purposeful intensity of the accompanying instruments, adding an inescapable layer of nostalgia that lingers in the soft echoes throughout the track. [4/5]
‘Evelyn’s House’: Executed with a more country-rock aura, ‘Evelyn’s House’ sees Hiatt utilising music as a conduit for escape, navigating the beauty and haunt of both freedom and entrapment. [3/5]
‘Forever’: Slightly heavier than the other tracks from the outset, the title track tackles loneliness and disillusionment, reflected in the chaotic atmosphere of the instruments and Hiatt’s signature emotionality. [3/5]
‘Man’: This track draws you in patiently, with softer guitars providing the ideal backdrop to Hiatt’s dreamlike crooning. She tackles heartbreak in a way that is delivered serenely, almost like recalling old memories that still sting like the first time. [3/5]
‘Kwik-E-Mart’: Everything is better when shared with someone else, and Hiatt tackles this new reimagined version of mundanity on ‘Kwik-E-Mart’. With lighthearted guitars setting the playful atmosphere from the off, this track is undeniably an album standout. [3.5/5]
‘Thoughts’: Closing the album on a note of solemn reflection, ‘Thoughts’ tackles the beauty of going with the flow, allowing yourself to feel in the moment, and not letting yourself wallow in the uncertainty of time. [3/5]
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