Album Review: Tracy McNeil & The GoodLife - You Be The Lightning

Across four albums, Melbourne's Tracy McNeil has woven a wistful tapestry of Americana that references both US west coast country-rock and Australian east coast sun-kissed FM pop. You Be The Lightning is her most realised and well-executed release to date.

There have been some big changes in McNeil’s life since her last album with the end of one longterm relationship and the blossoming of a new one. On You Be The Lightning she documents the early yearning and desire coupled with her hopes and dreams for that new relationship, charting its progress with a romantic, heady and emotive soundtrack. 

The guitars of McNeil and Dan Parsons (who both co-produced the album) jangle and chime, lead lines spiralling skyward, carving out both tough and tender melodies while keys add subtle depth and the rhythm section anchors everything perfectly. McNeil’s voice, aching and sweetly melancholic, is in stunning form throughout, never overcooking the emotion. So many of these songs sound familiar, steeped in a sound that references Fleetwood Mac, Gram Parsons and that point on the highway where country meets soul. The whole album is pure McNeil though, and songs like Not Like A Brother, Stars, Golden Age and Postcards are further proof of her standing as a world-class songwriter.