Album Review: Lucy Rose - No Words Left

If the distinctly English charms of Lucy Rose have been something of a well-kept secret in these parts, it’s about time the lid was lifted and this fourth album from her is but one way to start. Conveniently, No Words Left is also Rose’s strongest album to date, intensely bundling together emotions, transfixing melodies and intriguing instrumentation. There’s a tension wrapped up in each of these 11 songs and the way they unravel is a powerful pleasure for the senses.

While Rose possesses a sweet, sighing warble, her musicality does have some thorns. In the opening track Conversation, there is a slight undercurrent of apprehension thanks to some melancholy strings and pulsing guitar plucks, all while Rose's vocals weave some breathy magic. It’s a dance that she performs often through the soulful interplay of words and soft notes, and the surprising mix of saxophones and angular guitars. 

Solo(w) and Nobody Comes Round Here are fairly straight-up by comparison, but overall No Words Left is a lovely listen that has plenty of unexpected diversions and twists to the indie-rock shtick.