Album Review

Alas de Liona – Gravity Of Gold

• 12th Sep 2024

Indie pop artist Alas de Liona now calls Edinburgh home, but she was born in Los Angeles and grew up in the Mojave Desert. After originally arriving in the UK to study, she self released a debut album, Lightning And Fire, in 2017. Now concentrating on music following a permanent move to the UK, her second album was produced by Idlewild’s Rob Jones.

Gravity of Gold is an album that shows great deal of musical variety. The eleven tracks take a number different of pop approaches, ranging from ethereal shoegaze through to a much darker sound. There is a deep and introspective air, with much of the lyrical content having an uneasy, almost anxious, edge to it and the album never quite settles. It is a complex sound with multiple musical layers interspersed with occasional pop hooks and a strong vocal performance throughout.

Analogy is the album’s lead single and its haunting vocals are paired with a harsher, almost rock backing that is quite disturbing in places. Violet has a very different feel, a dream-pop sound with layers of synths and softer vocals. Driftwood comes closer to an indie sound, with drums and synth creating a solid backing for the vocals. The Question is an excellent slower song, with lyrics that ponder a range of life’s questions, again leaving the listener just a little uneasy.

Alas de Liona has a lovely expressive voice that soars high, moving from ethereal pop to a more up tempo sound with ease. Her songwriting is intricate and complex, and the lyrics probably need a bit of study, as there are both deep themes and many strong emotions on display. Overall, Gravity Of Gold is an intriguing album with several high spots and leaves hints of much more to come from a talented young artist.

Label: Deli Owner Records

Release date: 13 September 2024