A new and massive album release from Laurie Jones brings out an honest and hard-hitting rock vibe with touches of southern soul and a performance that comes through impactful and attentive as it grabs at you and keeps you right where it wants you.
The Dark Horse album feels like chapters in the artist's life being portrayed in the form of song and each one has the ability to stand on its own two legs however listening to the album as a whole almost feels like a concept record in a way.
This album is like watching a movie and when you step out of it you have to shake it off to get grounded again which is not something you come across often.
The record is packed to the brim with soulful vocal performances that harmonize and ring out with an excited energy that comes from some place incredibly genuine.
Now, this record has a lot of that hard rock tonality to it and that comes from the vast and massive guitar tones and riffs that are Incorporated with these songs.
They all have a pop element to them along with a sort of purity that is accompanied by these almost fiery performances.
There are times where you get this kind of 90s old rock feel which is amazing and again that is also coupled with that southern undertone that vibes throughout the records course.
The stories are told from her own perspective and from others and the entire thing has a way of wrapping itself around you and letting you kind of soak it in the way it was supposed to be done.
Again, this is when you listen to the whole album which is the way this was meant to be listened to.
Like I said, there are definitely gems and singles across the span of the record but it's a little different going through the whole thing at once because then you feel like you even know her more.
It's almost like your friend released a record.
One of the coolest things about that is the way she portrays herself and others in the stories and how she articulates the emotional drive that came to fruition from each one.
The record does an amazing job of showcasing Laurie's presence as an artist and how much character she has on a record because you really end up thinking about certain tracks for hours and sometimes days after this album has ended.
Songs were written with much attention to detail but never lost their soul in heart and that's a really important aspect to a record like this one.
You have the songwriting side and then you have the performance side. Those two obviously go incredibly hand in hand but with songs like this, a performance has to be spot-on for the songs to come through the way they were supposed to, and she pulls all of this off with her band nearly perfectly each time.
A lot of these songs also have a cinematic balance and feel to them at times which is refreshing and gives the songs this added life.
It's been a long time since you had an album like this where you really end up paying attention not only to the music but to the words the way you do with this one.
With such a truthful and impactful record, we wanted to have a sit-down with Laurie Jones to find out where this record actually came from and what may be coming next for the artist.
Here's what happened.
Buzz Slayers: This record has a ton of character and feels a bit personal as well! How did this album come about?
I had a pretty bad case of insomnia during the 1st year of the pandemic and found myself waking up in the night, or early in the morning, with several different melodies and sometimes specific lyrics. I started writing a series of songs and realized a bit later that I had a whole concept record on my hands. Buzz Slayers: How did this all start for you musically? When did you fall in love with music?
I've loved music my entire life, it is FOR SURE, the remedy for anything negative and the joy in all things worthy of celebrating. It has been my platform to (often) address those things I may be too afraid to talk about. Buzz Slayers: What kind of things really inspire songs for you?
Real life inspires me. Unfortunately, painful situations or having to overcome adversity fuel me. Songwriting is therapeutic for me. This album has some great styles combinations on it! Can you give us some of your biggest influences musically? I listen to all kinds of different music. For this particular record, I had been listening to artist like America, Neil Young, and Tom Petty. I am definitely influenced and I'm always "fan girling" over Sheryl Crow, Lucinda Williams, and the Foo Fighters. I'm all over the place musically. Buzz Slayers: What are you doing when you're NOT working on music?
I love being outdoors. I enjoy taking my dog on walks, going to the beach and I also have a horse that I spend a lot of time with. I'm definitely a gal that likes getting my boots and hands dirty at the barn and this is one of my favorite places to hang out. Most importantly I love being with my family.
Buzz Slayers: Who's in your headphones right now?
Margo Price!!! She is sooooooo good. Buzz Slayers: Are you doing any live performances right now?
Yes, I'm playing the new record out live now and with hopes of booking a European tour next fall.
Buzz Slayers: Did you record yourself or hit a big studio for this?
I recorded this record at a studio called The Halo Studio. I was very fortunate enough to work with talented folks who worked really hard to help tell this story.
Buzz Slayers: What can your fans expect from you in the near future?
New Music! I'm writing again, so we will see. Buzz Slayers: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of the music?
Thanks for your support and please keep listening and sharing. I'm so grateful.