Written by Julia Kender
Singer-songwriter Lucy Spraggan has just released "Choices", her sixth album. The record highlights the highs and lows of life, depicting them both lyrically and sonically throughout.
It isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, because life isn’t like that. It’s real and raw and Spraggan executes the concept masterfully.
“Flowers” felt as if there were hints of wild west sounds going on in the background, a theme that is referenced throughout the album, and it enhanced the overall feel of the song. It’s a strong opening to the album, not too heavy but sets the tone really well for the rest of the record.
“Roots” was a great song to follow “Flowers,” as it wasn’t too drastic of a contrast to the first song. It starts off acoustic and then progresses to drums and builds on the initial sound, making the second chorus feel stronger and hitting the listener harder.
Next on the album is “Sober”, such a real, raw, relatable song. All of these songs invoke specific emotions, but this one lies in a bit of a grey area, feeling bittersweet.
When you want to feel like the main character in your own movie, give “Run to the Hills” a listen. The chorus is like a breath of fresh air and when I listen to it, I can imagine myself looking out the window during a road trip.
“Heartbreak Suites” matches the album art perfectly, but that's only part of what makes the track so great. The chorus is really strong, and the words that stand out to me the most are “When I fall apart / I break my own heart / You can bet I’ll do it again.”
“If I had a God” brings a refreshing take on religious music, referencing spiritual imagery and beliefs. It’s a slower song, one of the first real slow songs of the album, and Spraggan really focused on the feeling one has when everything’s gone wrong in their life over and over again.
The next song, “I Spent a Night in the Desert”, is about one of those nights with your friends where it feels like you’re the only ones in the world. The song is upbeat and fun and makes you long for being with your friends on a late night, especially the lyric, “You are the kind of friend that you could write songs about”.
“You’ve Let Yourself Down” comes next, which is more of an upbeat song, despite how the title may make it seem. Make sure you pay attention to the lyrics, though; they tell a completely different story.
With lyrics about not giving up or letting people take you down, “Animal” is an incredibly empowering song. It’s focused on being motivated, being your own person, and not giving in to toxicity.
“Wild” is a good song to follow “Animal”, still upbeat but with a completely different vibe. The wild west sounds from earlier are brought back in full force for this track as well.
If you're looking for a song that feels like it would play during the closing credits of an indie movie, “Run” is perfect for you. It’s a really fun song you’d listen to on an airplane about to explore a new place, visit someone you miss, or move somewhere new.
The album’s namesake, “Choices (Don’t be afraid)” is next. It’s a mellow song, and the lyrics are super inspiring.
Spraggan sings to make her listeners not be afraid to be themselves. It’s a great title for the album as well, as the whole album shows different paths that you take in life, good or bad, and this song is about being yourself through it all.
“Why Don’t We Start From Here” is the final song on the record. It feels like a closing song to an album, but it could also stand on its own, with its not too mellow but not too upbeat song making it the perfect happy medium.
All in all, Lucy Spraggan’s album “Choices” is incredibly strong both lyrically and sonically, taking you through it all and making you feel something the whole time. If you liked the most recent Misterwives record “Superbloom”, you’ll love this album!
You can listen to Spraggan’s newest album on any major music streaming platforms, order her merch here, or follow her on Twitter @LSpraggan. Be sure to let us know what you thought of "Choices" by tweeting us @lgndsoftmrw!
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