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ALBUM OF THE WEEK: La Luz - "News of the Universe"

by Zuzu Lacey (@zu.lacey)

Dark and classically uneasy, written too with heavy science fiction inspiration is La Luz’s newest album News of the Universe. The band explore the intricacies and emotional experience of being human in an uncertain world. The album draws upon an apocalyptic theme, running deeper than being simply an indie or rock piece, News of the Universe travels beyond time, genre, and lyrical boundaries.

Through wavering between the urgency of impending doom and the slow submission to love, News of the Universe is born. It speaks to finding pleasure in challenging times, with tense and off-centre riffs cutting into the record. News of the Universe is an unearthly concept album which captures the essence of modern-day fear surrounding what lurks around the corner. Fueling its sense of transformation, La Luz’s latest record is driven frequently by its rich and feverish bass, pairing an intentionally hectic apocalyptic theme with their self-assured sound.

News of the Universe presents the band in flux. With the addition of drummer Audrey Johnson there is also the departure of bassist Lena Simon and keyboardist Alice Sandahl. The complexities behind La Luz’s latest contributes to its greater sense of prevalence in alteration. As an ever-evolving set of new obstacles arise, the band prove to be willfully indulging in the chaos, rather than pushing it away. Lead vocalist Shana Cleveland’s vocals are haunting and expansive; space is created for humor, drama, and emotional impact.

The single “Strange World” encompasses the record’s tone of entrapment. Its persistent bass riff and repeated “we’ll be fine, just take your time” capture the spirit of this uphill battle. Beyond being gloomy, News of the Universe is also warm and captivating. This haunted psychedelic track reflects the health issues and struggle fought by Cleveland and subsequently the unfixable feeling of being in limbo. There’s a strong sense that despite being set somewhere unearthly, this single (and the wider album) hints towards the natural fear we have for our own world’s future.

La Luz’s fifth full-length album has a sweet balance between yearning for normality and embracing the strange. Tracks float along between one-another, in the peculiar dream-like way La Luz have become known for. The band draw upon influence from the baroque sound, as well as classic folk and even doo-wop, but what is most recognisable is their individuality. It is easy to become lost in the La Luz sound. News of the Universe is a record created entirely by women, from its instrumentation and writing right down to its mastering. It is a smart and well-considered record based on womanhood and connection.

News of the Universe is a new feat for La Luz. Under the difficult conditions in which the album came to life brings a sensitive and honest body of work. For a band in a transitional phase, La Luz maintain an established and secure sound. The record weaves science fiction into the emotional, suggesting that finding hope in complex times does not have to be so alien.