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Skip-along melodies sure to be hit
Lenka’s debut album provides a happy release
By Abby Jacobsen
The sounds of Lenka are unique, just as unique as her name. The Australian singer, by way of Yugoslavia, released her solo self-titled album in September of this year and with all the press it has been receiving, should be taking off quite soon. The 11-song album consists of cheery upbeat melodies, accompanied by various wind instruments, chimes and charming keyboard melodies.
Even the more somber songs will have you tapping your feet along to the catchy beat. Opening with “The Show,” Lenka introduces the vibe she is trying to push through the entirety of her album. Her soft, bubbly voice, cooing over high pitched chimes and an up tempo beat, makes listeners realize that “The Show” is a song made for skipping along to. While talking about people missing out on the real beauty in life and how they should “just enjoy the show,” the song is actually an eye opener, though craftily disguised as a happy song.
The album carries on the theme of eye openers with the song “Live Like You’re Dying.” The rhythm has a slower pace, allowing the lyrics to stick out more to the listener. “Live like you're dying and never stop trying/It's all you can do/Use what's been given to you” ring through the chorus as an obvious seize-the-day wakeup call.
Other songs on the album that will keep you bopping your head along to the beat include “Skipalong”, “Knock Knock," and “Dangerous and Sweet." Each of the songs ooze with Lenka’s sticky sweet voice, which coax the listener into a happy state of mind while drumming and nodding along with the beat. The song “Dangerous and Sweet” nicely blends her vocals, percussion, bass and a little hidden keyboard tune in the background, giving it that extra happy kick to the melody.
The song “Trouble is a Friend” lays out a great example of how sugar, spice and everything spunk can all mix together. The feisty tone of voice that comes through the speakers to mix with the low bass and piano in the verses are offset by the normal sweet voice and jolly upbeat rhythm that tango back and forth throughout the song. This helps vocalize the love-hate relationship she has with "Trouble," like when she howls, “I won’t let him win, but I’m a sucker for his charm.”
The other soul-moving song on the album, “Like a Song,” has a music box melody which drifts along with slow, drawn out lyrics and hums, combined slight harmonica and few guitar chords, to create a lullaby song. It provides tranquil and pensive quiet time for the listener, which offsets the rest of the album and creates a nice balance throughout the 38 minutes of dreamy and fantasy-made tunes on the album.
Though her first album was just released, Lenka’s songs have long been featured on shows like Ugly Betty and 90210, along with commercials for Old Navy. Her smooth and sweet voice combined with catchy, sing-along rhythms will take her far; all you need to do is pick up a copy of her album.
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