Amaya Laucirica - Early Summer (Album)
Here, on Early Summer, is your invitation to the dreamy world of Amaya Laucirica – Adelaide turned Sydney turned Melbourne singer songwriter, who, on her latest release, delivers something smooth and welcoming; a collection of ambient country tunes to soothe the most restless of souls.
Laucirica’s debut, Sugar Lights, had many a complement given to it, several choosing the term “limitless” to describe the song writing style. The same is true this time around, so far as the songs have a longing sort of quality, melting into one another and creating a journey-like piece overall. However, there are limits to Laucirica’s music, albeit good ones.
For instance, Early Summer is an album that will very likely be bound by time and place for the listener. It’s not an everyday record, although it is by all means one that you may play again and again. For some, the seriously laidback nature of the music will suit well as the soundtrack to a place that is alien to the listener; to a position on the clock that’s well past your bed time. For others, the often haziness is perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Beneath what is an altogether ambient and calming mixture of sounds, Laucirica’s style is predominantly country, although there are moments, in vocals and instrumentation, that draw similarities to likes of The Red Sun Band or Bridezilla. You know there’s the spirit of country music in the air when heartache is on the table, and it is present here; Laucirica ending things on ‘Anywhere She Went’ with the lyric, “You know you broke my heart.” Darkness lingers on this record, too, with tracks like ‘Sleeping In Your Shadow’ giving real character to it all.
But there is a dreamy positivity that comes through, as well. And rightly so, as any record named Early Summer could not get away with anything less. ‘This World Can Make You Happy’ is washed with an upbeat brush, as are several contemplative moments throughout the album. The balance between light and dark is thus kept and Early Summer is neither too glum nor cheerful.
Amaya Laucirica is a whimsical songstress, who has delivered a short collection in Early Summer, for those wanting a kind of escape. An intimate piece, full of imagination; Early Summer will live up to its title and provide a real seasonal change.
