Androgynous singer/songwriter LP (Laura Pergolizzi) has to date released seven albums on various labels and although all are worthy of a listen, Lost On You, their fourth outing, represents an artistic and should-have been commercial peak.
At its smokey core, this is really a finely executed pop album with hooks galore and memorable melodies to spare. It retains a unique sophistication due to LP's bluesy, belting vocals and their ability to mesh a variety of incongruent styles into a singularly refined sound. There are hints of electro-pop, folk, gospel, blues and classic rock and roll throughout the album's ten solid tracks.
The pop finesse of their material comes as no surprise as they have written songs for Cher, Rihanna and Celine Dion, among others. They have become something of a icon and inspiration to LGBTQ youth in several countries. This album went platinum in Italy and France, selling 50,000 and 100,000 copies respectively and double platinum in Poland where it has sold 40,000 copies. The powerful opening track, Muddy Waters, was featured in the closing scene of Netflix's hit, Orange Is The New Black in 2016 and was heard in the trailer for NBC's Shades Of Blue. They also worked with Morrissey in 2018, contributing background vocals to his cover of Roy Orbison's It's Over.
Highlights from the album include the moving piano-based ballad, “Switchblade,” the irresistible groove of the title track and the closing number,”Long Way To Go To Die” which has an unforced poignancy that lingers on with the listener. This is a fine, under-appreciated effort by a talented maverick that deserves to be heard. I leave you with a lyric from “Strange”... “We are all strange but it ain't never ever ever gonna change.”
Watch a performance of Lost on You on YouTube.
(Thanks to brother John Patrick Robbins who turned me on to this artist.)
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