Australian singer-songwriter Alex Lahey effortlessly blends sounds from across the world on intimate new EP, Between The Kitchen and the Living Room (via Dead Oceans). The release came as an unannounced surprise to listeners, but still manages to deliver the bold storytelling Lahey is known for. This EP is a bare-bones release that showcases Alex Lahey’s incredible lyricism and ability to change the mood in a room with just one chord.
After the COVID-19 quarantine began, the songwriter decided to revisit old songs that were near and dear to her heart, reworking them to add even more emotional punch. Each track was recorded in a different part of her childhood home and the locations then added as song titles.
“Let’s Go Out”, one of the stand out tunes on the EP, delves into a story of a friends-but-so-much-more dynamic. Lahey delivers her well crafted lyrics with support from a reverb soaked piano creating a thoughtful ambience. She takes her time in building the musical landscape, leaving emptiness for her story to have the space it deserves. Her melody is infectiously heartbreaking as she sings, “let’s go out and have fun tonight / let’s go out and get drunk tonight / let’s pretend that we’re alone tonight”. Harmonies are slowly added along with lonely held out chords in the background, reminiscent of a slowed down version of Fun’s “We Are Young”.
The EP’s final track “Wes Anderson” delivers punch, groove, and nonchalance. Lahey swoops though the melody while throwing away notes and letting words drawl. The use of the acoustic guitar is mesmerizing as it pumps back and forth between simple notes. Lahey even dares to add a drum beat that pushes against the ever-present droning background. This song adds needed energy to the otherwise slow burn tracks on the release.
Although this EP is starkly different from Alex Lahey’s previous recordings, Between The Kitchen and the Living Room showcases her comfort in a stripped down environment. There is nothing performative about the emotions captured in her songs and the intimate nature of her work leaves listeners feeling closer to the musician than ever before.
Stream Between The Kitchen and the Living Room below via SoundCloud ! To purchase the EP, click HERE.
Have you listened to Between The Kitchen and the Living Room? If so, let us know what you think below in the comment section. To keep up with Alex Lahey follow her across your favorite social media platforms including Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
