Liz Lawrence – ‘Peanuts’ album review: a funk-infused dose of everything and anything
THE SKINNY: Some records intentionally set out to disorientate you. These are more experimental numbers, filled with noise and beats that don’t match the music. Then there are others who aren’t intentionally trying to confuse you but manage it anyway. Liz Lawrence’s new record Peanuts is the latter, and believe me when I say this in the most positive way.
Realistically, with this record, you have a few elements that form the foundation of every track. They tend to be a funky (or at least funk-infused) beat, some backing music such as a heavy bass, and Lawrence’s stunning voice. These are the foundations of a track, and after that, different parts are added to flesh songs out, give them structure, and set them apart from one another.
Because the foundations of this record are so prominent, the various other elements that go into songs are subtle and don’t scream at you. Still, when you pay attention to them, there are elements of shimmering pop, glam, country, rock, punk and most other genres going into it. It provides the unsettling element, but not one that makes it hard to listen to, one that makes you want to hear more and explore all of the layers on this LP.
Lawrence has achieved a great deal with this album. From the funky introduction of ‘Big Machine’ to the summery song ‘Oars’ or the rock-laden hit ‘No One’, the fact that she has made a cohesive-sounding album with so many different styles of music at play is nothing short of a triumph. It is a record worth your time; you’d be nuts not to listen.
For fans of: Music that suits any mood, regardless of the day you’ve had.
A concluding comment from Darren, the owner of Prism in Hull: “I put the record on, and people didn’t know whether to dance, hug each other or cry.”
Liz Lawrence – Peanuts track by track
Release Date: June 7th | Producer: Ali Chant | Label: Chrysalis
‘Big Machine’: Why waste time getting into an album? Long introductions? Building ambience? Not on Peanuts. ‘Big Machine’ throws you straight into the funk that protrudes over this entire record in a song worthy of dancefloors worldwide. [3.5/5]
‘Names Of Plants and Animals’: An off-kilter drum beat takes us by the hand and leads us into the second track on this album. ‘Names Of Plants and Animals’ is a tough piece to settle into, but in the best possible way. It’s hard to know whether to dance, sway, sing along, or do a messy concoction of all three. It’s the funkiest forest to be lost in. [3.5/5]
‘No One’: This track is infused with rock; a distortion-laden guitar provides the backdrop for Lawrence’s sweet-sounding vocals. It’s a heavy tune that invokes feelings of early psychedelic rock blended with dreamy pop. [4/5]
‘That’s Life’: Stabby bass, beach rock guitar and four-on-the-floor drums; this is a mesh of styles of music that come together wonderfully. Lawrence’s voice holds them together so well, which sounds like the product of the merging sounds; no one else could sing on this cohesively and linearly. The song is emotive, brooding and gorgeous in every sense. [4/5]
‘Oars’: This is a track with a summer feel laced throughout it. The beat in the background was an odd effect that sounded like a whoosh; then, the chords were taken straight from The Beach Boys. Lawrence also opts to sing a bit higher on this piece, making it much more fun and engaging. [4.5/5]
‘No Worries If Not’: This is a punk-sounding track, very monotone in the way it’s delivered and quite haunting. While it’s a fun listen, it’s probably some of the most uninteresting instrumentation on the record, with one simple guitar line being the foundation for everything and the song not moving from it. [2.5/5]
‘Strut’: If a song could make you feel drunk, this track would do it. The way the bass cuts off and the plucking guitar fills its place is very disorientating, but it makes great music to walk with a swagger, too; in that sense, it’s very appropriately named. [3.5/5]
‘Nitrogen’: One of the more upbeat numbers on the album. While many songs have an energy-filled rhythm but are stripped back, this one is fast-paced and unrelenting. There is no escaping it, ‘Nitrogen’ is a song to move to, with something intoxicating in the air the minute it starts playing. [3.5/5]
S.U.R.V.I.V.E: The first thing that stands out about this track is the western-like running guitar. After that, it follows the usual pattern of having an energetic feel but only using a couple of instruments to achieve it. It’s a true accomplishment. [3/5]
‘On Loss and Overcoming Despair’: A song for the club. The clapping snare and DJ Screw-like subby bass are screaming for the dancefloor (though the theme doesn’t). The running synth in the background adds a trippy element to the song, making it unpredictable throughout but incredibly enjoyable. [4.5]
‘Top Level Joy’: The album ends in a dream; a serene and beautiful number accompanies the credits on a layered multi-genre LP. A pleasure from start to finish and an excellent piece of work. [4/5]
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