★★★☆
Lisa Mitchell’s last effortBless This Messhad its moments but lacked cohesion.
Warriors, on the other hand, has a firm sense of direction and purpose.
Mitchell’s new album opens with ‘The Boys’, a fizzy song about friendship and hardcore crushing. While she openly set out to make a record you can dance to, the electronic elements are not overpowering and do not weigh down Mitchell’s songwriting. The grooves are gentle but retain their rhythm, starting from the moment the sturdy beat of ‘Warhol’ breaks apart the shimmery arrangement. This movement continues on the hazy ‘I Remember Love’ and the darker ‘So Wild’.
The production works well with Mitchell’s signature vocals and the storytelling is strong, bringing in seemingly mundane details to etch out feelings and situations. This said, the stripped acoustic goodness of ‘What Is Love’ is a welcome return to her roots, clarifying the mix with some variety.
It isn’t all sweet love – the handclaps of ‘Where You Are’ are too twee to make up for the song’s blandness, and its follow-up ‘Josephine’ further dulls the movement of the record.
Otherwise, Warriors is comfortable yet fresh, and further embeds Mitchell’s musical persona.
Lisa Mitchell’sWarriorsis available now through Warner.
