Words by Sofia Perica.

LAUREL’s new album, PALPITATIONS, solidifies her distinct sound as a musician; her signature use of reverberated vocals combined with upbeat, electric synth, creates an immersive and atmospheric experience. Her approach to music reminds me of driving fast down a highway at night with the windows down, much like her song, Scream Drive Faster.

PALPITATIONS showcases an experimentation of this signature sound within the context of indie-pp. It feels so nostalgic, almost reminiscent of early 2010a music. It reminds me of watching MTV Hits on a Saturday morning, romanticising what life would be like as a teenager, while watching Katy Perry’s music video for Teenage Dream.

What I like about this album is that it combined electric, dance music with an almost-beachy vibe, particularly with her song, 45 Degrees, which is a perfect, summer bop. I can picture playing this through a speaker while playing beach volleyball with my friends. This song makes me want to fall in love. It perfectly captures the giddy excitement of young love and this freedom associated with youth and the summer. The use of bass guitar riffs and her classic, echoey vocals really create a rich and vivacious sound. I love it!

LAUREL’S song, Wild Things, feels the most reminiscent of the early 2010s. It makes me want to pull out my iPod Touch and dance like those silhouettes from the iPod ads. It reminds me of a movie montage of some coming-of-age indie film; one of those montages that make you feel like you need to take advantage of your youth. Her airy voice, combined with the electric beat in this song, is almost cinematic. It creates such a vivid image of the wild freedom of being alive.

PALPITATIONS is a compelling and emotionally resonate album that highlights LAUREL’s growth as an artist. Her ability to blend lush production with introspective lyrics and powerful vocals, makes this album a standout in the indie-pop and alternative music scenes. Definitely worth a listen.