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(Urban/Pop Editor)
Label: Warner Bros. - Rating:
Lights (Valerie Poxleitner) is a Juno award-winning (New Artist Of TheYear) Canadian singer-songwriter. Lights grew up traveling the world with her missionary parents. She wrote her first song at age 11, using Bible verses as material. Lights found inspiration in Bjork, Abba and Phil Collins and now at the age of 22, Lights is standing on her own, crafting her own interesting sound of pop, electronica and new wave in the form of The Listening, a dreamy collection of airy and fun synthesized pop.
The album has many gems, but a few favorites are - “Second Go,” a funky dance song, that reminds me of The Pet Shop Boys’ “What Have I Done To Deserve This.”
“Lions!” is a mix of heavy rock and synth. It was taken by surprise when the track came on since the previous songs were more pop. Although "Lions!" sounds out of place, I feel that it shows Lights' depth and versatility.
The album has two versions of “Pretend.” The electronic version has a slow, pulsing beat that doesn't overshadow the sensitivity of the song. The piano version, which closes the album, is beautiful. I can see Lights sitting alone at the piano surrounded by candles.
Lights has a sweet candy-coated voice that's truly a delight. Her name is a great description of the feeling she projects in her music and lyrics. The Listening is a great debut from a refreshing artist and is worth a “listening.”
