Album Review: Alex Lahey - I Love You Like A Brother

It's been a whirlwind 18 months for Alex Lahey following 2016's five-song stunner B-Grade University and opening the main stage at last year's Splendour In The Grass.

Now with the release of her debut album, I Love You Like A Brother, Lahey continues the upward trajectory of her burgeoning career while also painting the picture of a hard-working and prolific musician. Equipped with her trademark earnest lyrics and guitar-driven sound, the Melburnian's first full-length delivers on the early promise of her career.

The restless first single Every Day's The Weekend leads the album, with Lahey's formidable songwriting chops explored further on the experimental Backpack and the big production of Awkward Exchange. I Love You Like A Brother is an exercise in balance; with the sweet I Want U and its catchy chorus and slick guitar work offset by the anti-love song Perth Traumatic Stress Disorder. Similarly, the darker sounds of Lotto In Reverse are countered with the upbeat cry for help in I Haven't Been Taking Care Of Myself.

With storytelling and songwriting skills that transform the everyday problems of life into something bigger and often more beautiful than they actually are, Lahey is no longer an emerging artist to watch, but one who deserves all the plaudits and spotlight she's earned.