From the first line of ‘Salute’ it’s clear Lanie Lane has veered from the straight-up blues and country pop-infused material of her previous releases into more alternative territory. Her voice is smoother and steadier than on earlier songs, alternately honeyed and silken.
Night Shade has a melodic discordance that echoes Feist’s Metals, especially evident on tracks like ‘The Phantom’ with its deep horns, as well as the mournful guitar and gently layered vocals of ‘I See You’. Lead single ‘Celeste’, which sounded unusual on its own, is strengthened when surrounded by the other songs on the album.
‘You Show Me How I Should Like It’ is sultry and smooth, a contrast to jangly Western ballad ‘No Sound’. Lingering last track ‘Mother’ meanders into a hidden track for ten-and-a-half minutes. In fact, most of the songs are fairly long but they don’t feel drawn out, rather leisurely and gradually involving.
While not immediately gripping, Night Shade, with its wistful warmth, poetic tales and gentle maturity, makes for an intoxicating slow burn.
4/5.
Night Shadeis out Friday October 24 through Ivy League.
