Amaya Laucirica – ‘Early Summer’

Over the past ten years Amaya has recorded four albums. The earlier albums are: ‘Sugar lights’(2008), ‘Early Summer’(2010), and ‘Sway’ (2014). While she has received critical acclaim in Australia, her fourth album ‘Rituals’, released on March 2, 2019, is her first overseas release. 

However it is not ‘Rituals’ that I’ve chosen to review, but rather, her 2010 album ‘Early Summer’. I keep returning to ‘Early Summer’ when in the mood for slow melodies, ‘heavy’ and raw instrumentals, and Amaya’s soft and breathy, yet clear vocals.

              Amaya Laucirica

The songs on ‘Early Summer’ are not entirely typical of her current music. They are less cheery and upbeat than her other albums, and not as polished as ‘Rituals’. However as Amaya tends to write personal songs, variations in mood should not be a surprise.

On the ‘Early Summer’ album I found two tracks to be particularly addictive.‘Sun on my face’ is a hypnotic, repetitive and moody tune. It’s melodious gentleness is underlined  by the contrasting distortion of the bands guitars. The other favourite is ‘I am searching’. This is a hymn like track, on which Amaya’s voice sounds particularly young and fragile. Its beautiful, simple melody is one you’re not likely to forget anytime soon. 

I’ve been told that I mostly listen to ‘depressing, odd music’. So, perhaps my choices of standout tracks should be viewed With caution.. I must admit that there is more variety on this album than I’ve implied. I’ll mention ‘Anywhere she went’ a rockier, foot tapping, up-tempo song’ with impressive instrumentals. But I must admit that it does have broken heart lyrics. I’ll also mention ‘Marry Me’. This is probably the track on which Amaya best displays her vocal range. 

     Amaya in Concert

Amaya’s first international album release and first promotional concerts in Britain and continental Europe may suggest that she is a novice or overnight discovery.  However  ‘Early Summer’ demonstrates that Amaya is neither. She is a seasoned writer/performer, who is based in Melbourne, and has produced memorable music for over the past decade.

(My comments on Amaya’s 2019 album, ‘Rituals’ are also to be found on this Blog site in Music Reviews – Alternative).