Lucy Rose - This Ain't The Way You Go Out (Album Review)
Thursday, 25 April 2024
Written by Emma Way
Photo: Josh Shinner
After 2019’s stripped back ‘No Words Left,’ Lucy Rose had plans to rest and write her next album at her own pace, away from the road and its all-encompassing demands. Instead, life had something else in store for her. ‘This Ain’t The Way You Go Out’ was inspired by maternal osteoporosis, an excruciating condition that left the songwriter with a broken back following the birth of her son, Otis.
Rose returned to music as part of her recovery, with the fixed idea of using this album to raise awareness of a condition that she had to fight to be diagnosed with. The weight of loneliness and guilt Rose felt, when she could not take part in all the tasks interlinked with early motherhood, moulded her new songs. Interestingly, they aren’t bleak or introspective, they’re groovy, even celebratory.
Could You Help Me introduces her new powerful direction. Unable to play guitar, sitting at a piano informed how Rose would take to growing back her confidence as a songwriter, its lyrics identifying the isolation that came hand in hand with her illness.
Perhaps as a sign of strength, even the way Rose plays piano on the record exhibits confidence as she switches out the easy dynamic changes used in her guitar work.
Looking for mile markers in her past work, the ‘No Words Left’ track Solo (W) feels like an important hint at where Rose would head next, with the inclusion of sax, strings, and an intense build. Life’s Too Short, like many tracks here, is formed by its rhythm and addictive melodic flecks. Similarly, opener Light As Grass is a bouncy scene-setter with ethereal, sweeping vocals.
On a surface level ‘This Ain’t The Way You Go Out’ is funky and inviting, but its lyrical underbelly showcases the mettle of a songwriter reawakening with the help of music as a guided support. The last few years have been a journey of discovery and recovery for so many, but Rose especially. This album stands as proof of the hills and valleys she had to overcome to remain the artist she is.
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
