Album Review: Lissie - My Wild West

With previous titles such as Why You Runnin’, Catching a Tiger and Back to Forever, Lissie’s nomadic lifestyle has been her greatest inspiration. Third studio album My Wild West is no different, finding the Illinois native in transitional limbo, as she departs California and faces into an uncertain future. “I’m through with all that make-believing, getting blood from a stone,” she sings on ‘Hollywood’, a piano-lead reflection on the Hollywood dream, “falling apart at the seams.” Meanwhile, on the folky pop-rock number ‘Wild West’, Lissie assures us that despite having gone “Rouge in the wild, wild west,” she’ll be “Fine, fine, fine.”

That narrative remains clear throughout, but like on previous albums, the sound and production lack focus. ‘Stay’, for example, begins as a spacious, alt-folk guitar track with a devastating vocal, before banjo, backing vocals and other unnecessary sounds invade.

In contrast, ‘Don’t You Give Up On Me’ deftly showcases Lissie’s abiding flair for catchy choruses, while the excellent ‘Shroud’ and ‘Go For a Walk’ give hope for the future, courtesy of unfussy arrangements that allow Lissie’s gorgeous vocals to shine.

Overall, My Wild West feels like a gateway album. With the ghosts of Hollywood now banished, Lissie will hopefully unveil a clearer, more original sound next time out.

Key Track- 'Shroud'