Review

Lianne a Havas: Lost And Found EP (Warner/Labour Of Love Records)

South Londoner, Lianne’s debut record. Described as “a liberated collection of urban hymns” on the PR blurb. I don’t know about that, but what I do know is, I can’t stop playing these five tracks of sheer heaven.

It is stripped down, sparse but absolutely nothing is missing. Minimalist, subtle production that should be commended. Strong songs that are a perfect vehicle for her dreamy, soul vocal and her under-stated jazz guitar licks on that 1962 Danelectro guitar.

US star Willie Mason joins the 22-year-old Brit’ for the opener, “No Room For Doubt,” the single. Just the two voices and her guitar playing, which includes the bass line. Lovely stuff. The next one, the title track, presents the best vocal on the EP, produced by Matt Hales (aka Aqualung). A heart-wrenching and achingly real emotional journey, Lianne allowing us in to her tear-stained world, when her fella treats her badly. A true tale from her own young life, where she proves it is all about the song, and meaning what you sing.

When she sings the powerful and intense lyric, “..So ashamed you are the one that made me feel the way I do. You broke me and taught me how to really hate myself. Unfold me…” you can really feel her pain. She is some writer, but as a singer, there is just no one like her out there right now, for me. A world class find.

To brighten the mood, “Age,” puts a smile on your face. The song she did on “Later with Jools” on TV, which rocketed her into the collective consciousness of the nation’s music lovers. A jazz tip. Clever hook. Cheeky lyric, about an older man, her usually fancying younger men, but age is not a problem. This song highlights for me, that the guitar parts, as simple as they sound, are actually very precise and an integral part of her unique sound. Superbly executed by her too.

“Night School” is the one track of the five, that doesn’t float my boat quite as much as the others. Still a fine vocal performance though. Her cover of Everything Everything’s “Final Form,” shows how Lianne can make a song her own. A heavier in production approach version, of Jill Scott perhaps. It is excellent.

Well, that’s her EP, “Lost and Found.” This now takes pride of place in my own CD collection. When it is off the CD player, that is! Luckily, Lianne is not lost anymore. Me and a zillion others in the near future, will be so glad we found her. Trainee superstar; I’d bet my record collection on…….But not her CD, that’s not part of the bet.
Words SIMON REDLEY