Kiwi soul-folk singer-songwriter Lola Sola has toured throughout Australia and New Zealand, now nailed down two EP's and one full-length album, and showed no signs of slowing down. To great anticipation both here and in Aussie, the DIY-songstress finally released her new music video and single, titled Get It.
The video opens to the central character, played by Lola Sola herself, waking up with a paper bag over her head, and ambles slowly from bed to hallway to kitchen, into what appears to a house-warming of sorts, filled with a peculiar assortment of attendees in colourful robes, all with paper bags masking their faces.
Opening to a mellow and plodding beat, plus soulful lead singing crafted with a playful edge, and teasing lyrics, “If you want it, why don’t you come and get it”, the upbeat-but-restrained attitude is carried through the song.
The soft blues sounds, the slow-motion capture, and the indifference shown by the focal character to the lively atmosphere evokes a sombre mood, perhaps a way to capture the nature of an introvert forced to be involved in social norms. Maybe one sees what one wants to see...
The energy of the tune kicks up a notch or two with the drum’s hi-hats emerging, and the combination of backing vocals, drums and blues guitar strums work particularly well; special mention must go to Miss Sola’s tasteful vocal flourishes, adding good flavour to the writing.
Like an afternoon jog that’s met an uphill slope, the pace is slowed down at the bridge, with the light backing vocals adding a moody dimension, but hopping promptly back into the chorus, with guitar distortion ramped up. Jogging again.
Executed in one (maybe two?) takes in slow-motion, with subtle changes in props held by whimsical-looking supporting characters, the video is a mesmerising watch. I gave pause at the vocal refrain of “Anything is better than this”... I dunno, this is pretty darn enjoyable!With her roots in Aotearoa (NZ), Lola Sola is a singer-songwriter with a dynamic vocal range and emotive lyrics; blending folk, soul and a hint of blues. In late 2015, following a successful crowd-funding campaign, she went on to record an EP and tour New Zealand. Currently based in Sydney Australia, she has released her first studio album Walking Back from Hell, a stripped-back collection of originals recorded at A Sharp Recording Studios with producers, Richard Lake & Joe Sharratt.
Lola’s solo performances are intimate and captivating. Her shows are always developing with the different collaborative efforts of the musicians she works with.
Walking Back from Hell is a collection of honest song writing. Pairing haunting lyrics with delicate harmonies and simple guitar riffs, it sets a backdrop of an artist who has a powerful connection to her experiences and a lot more stories to tell.