Lana Crow – In Spirit

If you paid close attention to what’s happening on the contemporary music scene, then you’ve probably noticed how many artist and bands delivers great works, usually with the same quality that renowned acts used to do decades ago. However, it always seems like those works lack something. Whether it is a lack of fresh ideas, unique sonic maneuvers, or something completely different, all those releases may seem repetitive, bland, and boring to the listeners. It may also seem like all those music outlets overly mimic renowned acts or experiment excessively with genres to the point where their works lose all sense. Thankfully, there are artists like Lana Crow who know how to write, compose, arrange, and produce perfect compositions where every vocal harmony, sonic, or rhythmic maneuver sounds so fresh, unique, innovative, and exciting. “In Spirit,” her latest full-length album, exemplifies her tremendous dedication to the craft, as she brings seven exceptional songs that vividly showcase her experience, knowledge, creativity, skills, and talent. Lyrically, Lana Crow’s songs are about the lows and highs of life. She explores various sentiments, moods, situations, and circumstances, vividly depicting the hardships of life and what makes us human. Therefore, it’s a highly relatable album that will unquestionably appeal to the broader audience. Sonically, “In Spirit” is a diverse blend of music genres and sonic directions, making it a versatile material suitable for even the pickiest music enthusiasts. She expertly incorporates various layers, elements, details, approaches, and techniques in order to craft a perfect backdrop for the rich lyric content. Perhaps alternative rock comes to mind first, but do not be surprised if you stumble upon some of the finest properties borrowed from indie rock, indie pop, alt-pop, dream pop, and other similar styles. Although her music carries many styles, this material never loses its consistency. Each song represents a piece of the puzzle, a perfect fit that works to the advantage of the entire album.

This epic sonic journey commences with “I Do,” a marvelous song that carries many dream pop elements, yet it never strays from its primary sonic direction, such as alternative rock. You’ll immediately notice how Lana Crow’s dreamy, soulful, passionate, emotive vocal performance commands attention, delivering all those perfect low, mid, and high notes with such precision and finesse. The interplay between lush synth pads and jangly guitars shapes that expansive, dreamy, mesmerizing ambiance that immediately wraps around your listening apparatus. In the meantime, the warm, intricate, groovy basslines bring more power to the song while the moderate drumming performance keeps everything in line. “I Do” is such a perfect overture into this incredible material. “Orwellian Times” is coming up next, bringing a story about the times we’re living in. This composition is packed with all those reverby, chorusy, jangly chord progressions, especially during catchy, memorable, engaging choruses. The synth pads contribute more depth while roaming somewhere in the background, but they’re more than vividly hearable in the mix. The way all those layers articulate together without overwhelming each other goes beyond comprehension so many times throughout the entire composition, proving that Lana Crow thought about everything while assembling this song. If you’re looking for a new wave-inspired indie music, then the remix of “No Secret” will be right up your alley. Each segment of this song carries so many details that you’ll need several listening sessions to grasp all those beautiful sonic layers Lana Crow invested in it. If you love synth-driven music, this one is definitely for you. All those leads, themes, melodies, harmonies, and pads dominate in the mix, while subtly distorted guitars roam beneath, offering a touch of rawness to the song. The blend of perfectly programmed rhythmic patterns and deep basslines immensely supports all those sonic maneuvers, making this song so groovy and dynamic.

“So Done” calms things down a little bit, bringing another dosage of dream pop. With emphasis on a cinematic ambience, delivered on a comprehensive collection of synth layers, this composition showcases Lana Crow’s impressive songwriting and composing abilities. Immensely supported with half-time beats, those pads, harmonies, melodies, and themes perfectly construct the luxuriant atmosphere that immediately grabs you by the collar and refuses to let go. You’ll also notice how all those heavy, powerful, intricate low ends offer more heftiness, clarity, and depth while binding all mentioned orchestrations with the remainder of the rhythm section. “Unknow The Known” is a straightforward alternative rock anthem where raw, aggressive, heavily distorted riffs meet calm, soothing, relaxing synth themes. Lana Crow’s beautiful voice serves as a centerpiece here, guiding listeners through all those lush segments, commanding attention, and elevating everything to an entirely new level. “What Brings You Back” continuously levitates between jangly, angular, cleverly assembled chord progressions and another collection of impressive synth works. This composition expertly merges some of the finest properties of the eighties, nineties, and contemporary music, making it a standout piece that will appeal to your ears no matter which era of music you prefer. This impressive piece of work closes with “In Spirit,” another beautiful composition that blends various analog and electronic elements in order to depict a luxuriant sonic imagery. The way all those electronic rhythmic patterns, heavy basslines, and mesmerizing synth work together goes beyond comprehension so many times throughout the entire track. It’s such a perfect closure that will force you to spin this majestic album all over again.

With “In Spirit,” Lana Crow showcases a new, unique, innovative, exciting face of alternative and indie music. Her brilliant ideas and outstanding musicianship not only demonstrate her songwriting, composing, arranging, and producing abilities but also prove that alternative music, when done right, still has so much to offer. Her poetic storytelling and mesmerizing sonic maneuvers will deeply impress you, so if you love your alternative or indie music crafted and performed straight from the heart, “In Spirit” will be right up your alley.