A few weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to see Looking For Alaska in concert promoting their new album, Light and Shadow. It was a very special event indeed, as while Aaron Gott and Amy Maynard were joined that night by a full band, there was no doubt indeed that the evening was all about the magic created by just the two of them. In many ways the album is a very close reflection of that night, as while they are joined by additional players when the time is right, this is about a couple letting us inside their own very special world. 

When I’m Alone is a naked song; two voices with no room to hide and just a little reverb as Amy takes the lead and Aaron provides the harmony. It may be only two minutes long, but it casts a spell far greater than that, as the listener is immediately invested, feeling this is something very special indeed which we are honoured enough to bear witness to. From here on in we are taken on a journey, with some songs rooted in the blues (All The Broken People), others classic Seventies rock (Where Have You Gone), but always with superb control and wonderful vocals. Aaron is a fine singer in his own right, and even takes some leads, but his real strength is in providing the music as he switches from keyboards to guitars as well as delicately singing harmonies, but Amy’s vocals are something very special indeed. She has a wonderful range, combined with breadth and power, and when in a live environment she reminds me of Janis Joplin, but in the studio she has far more control. Throughout the album her singing is warm, delicate yet with strength, passionate and perfectly in sync with everything being provided by Aaron. 

Listen to them harmonising on Let You Go, and it almost feels as if we are intruding on a special moment as they sing to each other: the restraint is incredible, and even though there is musical backing it feels as the world only exists through their voices, and their voices are the world. There are quite a few musical nuances and tricks throughout the album, such as banjo here and violin there, yet the music is always geared to one aim, providing the perfect support and vehicle for the vocals.  

There is a strange fragility within the album, as it creates a spell which the listener worries will be broken at any point, but there is also a strength which really comes through when listened to on headphones. During Hine Atarau and Lily Amy lets her passion finally boil over as she screams and hits very high notes indeed, but even then, it is kept under control and somewhat muted. 

There have been some very special albums released on Aotearoa this year, and this is one of the finest. 

• 1
  Head Like A Hole
• 2
  Horror Story
• 3
  Fraser Ross
• 4
  Fur Patrol
• 5
  Michelle Rounds
• 6
  L.A.B.
• 7
  The Boondocks
• 8
  Late to Chelsea
• 9
  Springloader
• 10
  Baconfoot

• 
  Nadia Reid @ Loons, Lyttelton - 16/11/2024
• 
  Pull Down The Sun @ Franks Bar, Whanganui - 15/11/2024
• 
  Elidi @ Franks Bar, Whanganui - 15/11/2024
• 
  Infinity Ritual @ Franks Bar, Whanganui - 15/11/2024

• 1
  APT.
  ROSÉ And Bruno Mars
• 2
  DIE WITH A SMILE
  Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
• 3
  BIRDS OF A FEATHER
  Billie Eilish
• 4
  TASTE
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 5
  I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
  Gracie Abrams
• 6
  ESPRESSO
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 7
  SAILOR SONG
  Gigi Perez
• 8
  LOSE CONTROL
  Teddy Swims
• 9
  A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
  Shaboozey
• 10
  GOOD LUCK, BABE!
  Chappell Roan

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