By Lilia Marmolejo
Staff Writer
Tove Lo’s newest album “Lady Wood” featuring singers Joe Janik and Wiz Khalifa, expertly displays an array of music with impressive harmonization and tone quality.
“Lady Wood” consists of twelve tracks featuring intricate rhythms, well written lyrics and catchy tunes. Although Tove Lo is characterized as an indie pop artist, the album incorporates gregorian chants mixed with electronic sounds that stray from her previous style, creating a new, satisfying sound.
“Lady Wood,” the Swedish pop singer’s second studio album, released by Island Records on October 28, consists of two chapters: “Fairy Dust” and “Fire Fade.” “Lady Wood” is the first half of a two-piece album. Additional chapters “Light Beams” and “Pitch Black” will compose Tove Lo’s third album, planned for release in 2017.
Chapters one and two of “Lady Wood” detail the turmoil of an emotional rollercoaster. “Fairy Dust” expands on the excitement and intense feelings of happiness at the beginning of a relationship, while “Fire Fade” highlights a future of anxiety and vulnerability during hardships.
The album’s opening song, “Fairy Dust-Chapter 1” features gregorian chants, electronic sounds and intricate rhythms. Tove Lo made a bold decision to incorporate sound effects into this piece, and it works outstandingly. Although the song is relaxing and enjoyable, it is only 58 seconds long, leaving the listener wanting more.
The second song, “Influence,” featuring Wiz Khalifa, features playful lyrics, upbeat rhythms and hand clapped tunes. However, the song fails to include the previous themes of incorporating church organ tunes. Instead, it is solely centered around electronic sounds. Although “Influence”was not cohesive with the rest of the album, it is a playful addition and gives off a fun and reckless vibe.
Another track that greatly contrasts from the album is “Vibes.” It opens with an indie, relaxing tone and immediately transitions to an electronic melody. Featured singer Janiak captivates listeners with outstanding range of vocals. The piece contains capturing lyrics and intriguing rhythms that successfully complement hypnotizing melodies.
Although “Lady Wood” features catchy tunes, the music become repetitive at times due to the similar rhythms repeated in each song. However, the album begins to speed up with the addition of pulses at the end of each musical phrase, quickening the pace of the album.
“Lady Wood” is an incredible album with captivating tunes, entertaining lyrics and playful melodies. Tracks “Fairy Dust” and “Vibes” add great character and increase the appeal of playful sound effects, electric beats, and gregorian chants.
“Lady Wood” can be purchased on iTunes for $7.99 or for free on streaming websites including Spotify and YouTube. You can listen through Spotify below.
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