Recommended If You Like: Birdy, Laura Marling, The Staves

The English singer/songwriter Lucy Rose first surprised me back in 2015 with her vivid, interactive music video for “Till the End.” The video features six different screens with her performing each band role including drums, bass, lead guitar, back up vocals, piano, and lead singer. Viewers are able to click the different blocks and the video switches around to feature the various videos. The interactive component was a simple, yet intriguing addition to the down-to-earth video; one the was filmed at Rose’s home, local grocery, and while driving her car.

I am a fan of Lucy Rose for two significant reasons: 1) she creates comforting and upbeat English folk music that pairs with any nice day, and 2) she radiates a relaxed disposition and genuine openness with her fanbase through her songs, social media, and in-person interactions. Recently, Rose embarked on a independently organized tour throughout Latin America. All of the shows were played for free and booked by fans who had requested Rose visit via Twitter. If that wasn’t insane enough, Rose did not book accommodation for the entire trip; instead she stayed with fans in their homes whether she was in a large city or a remote village deep within the Latin American landscape.

Rose documented the entire trip and created a twenty minute film to accompany the album, Something’s Changing, that was inspired by the experience. The film poetically explains the influence a stranger can have on your life, and how transformative this journey was for Rose.

Now on to the album. Released July 7, 2017 via Arts & Crafts /Communion Records, Something’s Changing hums and strums with sincerity to earn a spot as one of the year’s most captivating albums.

Something's Changing - Lucy Rose — Something’s Changing – Lucy Rose

It’s just a song but without it
would I have told you this?

– “Intro,” Lucy Rose

“Intro” twinkles like a harp and sets the tone for the emotive story to follow. The delicate melody creates a serene atmosphere that permeates the air and encourages your mind to drift along a familiar journey with an unknown destination; a journey exploring all “the good, the bad, the happy, and the sad” moments that make life alluring.

“Strangest of Ways” bounces with snare drum hits and a Clearly inspired by her trip, the words echo with a desire to find “much more” out of life. She found beauty in a place never imagined and questions what this means for herself and future. It’s always shocking to find wholeness in unfamiliar places, yet many people experience this while traveling.

Who’d have thought it, who’d have thought it?
This is the place for me and my bones

– “Strangest of Ways,” Lucy Rose

Rose gifted us a few poignant love songs throughout her third record, including “Love Song,” “Soak It Up,” and “No Good At All,” which are tinged with heartbreak and hopefulness in their own way. “No Good At All” rises to the top spot in my tracklist because of the mournful metaphors hidden beneath a lively piano driven ballad.

The heart of this album lies in the introspective and societal defying mantras that give us a peek into Rose’s spirit such as “Floral Dresses,” “Second Chance,” and “Find Myself.” “Floral Dresses,” featuring The Staves, is a spirited message to any girls who have felt out of place disguised as a haunting folk song. With only acoustic strums to lead the way, these four uplifting ladies tell the somber tale of disapproval and difference. The part-love song, part-personal reflection “Find Myself” reminds us the importance of forging new relationships and coming into our own however long it takes.

Find, find yourself and make it count
Take, take your time and don’t lose sight
Of why we’re here and who we want to be

– “Find Myself,” Lucy Rose

Rose also croons about offering too many second chances and broken relationships in “Moirai” and “I Can’t Change It All.” Each stage of this album walks us closer to culminating idea that life goes by too quickly for you blame yourself. Undeniably, Something’s Changing travels in and out of relationships to discover a place of self-love, confidence, and exhilaration to live a life that you want.

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