ALL THE LIGHT sees Nashville-based singer-songwriter Lucy Isabel re-board the recording train and set about engaging new and old listeners with a folk-inspired sound. Through ten original songs, the album's essence quickly finds its groove, smoothing out any noticeable dips or artificial highs. A consistent measured and articulate approach to songwriting, and its ultimate delivery, lures the listener into a comfortable zone. From this place, a theme of snapshot thoughts and pondering about the present guide the album into a sweet listening spot.
Life and its many distractions had temporarily pulled away this New Jersey native from the spotlight. The return has played the modern game of digital drips, with four singles landing across the wires ahead of an October 11th full album release. The focussed quartet go a long way to defining the sound of Lucy Isabel with 2nd single 'A Hero's Welcome' probably the pick of the early offerings. The tender start is in line with the mood of the record and you really feel the longing in the lyrics. 'I’ve got time on my hands/ I’ve got no place to go/ I’m just sitting here/ waiting, by the open window.'
What actually seals the deal is planting a cracking song in the closing spot. 'The Right Choice' is a stellar parting shot and moves things up a notch on the tempo scale. For those who like a touch of twang in their folk-Americana, a blast of steel at the end satisfies the soul. This side to the instrumentation occasionally pops up and faint tones drift in during the enticing second track 'Magpie'
The pre-album release period began with the launch of 'Miles From Home', a track where the full breadth of a subtle band sound is used combined with a notable change of tempo mid-song. Probably more ubiquitous than the steel is the violin, in line with folk sentiments that tend to dominate the record. Third and fourth single 'Blind Ambition' and 'My Memory' exemplify this. The latter hones in on the personal moments with the phrases - 'my mother', 'my father', 'my partner', 'my daughter' - beginning lines in the lyrics.
'The Edge' is another violin-soundtracked song, although like all its contemporaries, the overarching genial trait is the classy vocal style skilfully adopted. This is one of the later tracks, a collection opening several songs earlier with 'A Better Life', containing mellow vibes and philosophical leanings in 'So you’ve still got time/ to promise a better life.'
Of the remaining two tracks, 'Best Efforts' sees the album in its most upbeat tempo, with mixed messages come from the lyrics. 'Where it Lies' is probably the album's mellowest moment and the piano accompaniment puts a theatrical edge to the song, which you could envisage being part of a show.
Cathartic undertones add to the identity of ALL THE LIGHT and Lucy Isabel has definitely made the 'right choice' to let loose her creative talents. Kicking your feet back to savour an artist find their voice from many angles sums up the response. Contemporary folk is in safe hands with albums like this.