Album Review: Lady Lamb – “After”

By: Amrit Sandhu –

Lady Lamb is the performing name of musician Aly Spaltro, an artist whose versatile and relatable lyrics balance her passion across her new album After. Spaltro grew up in Maine where she found the brooding, powerful voice that enables her rich contrast between bright and dark tones, mixed with vibrant beats and an edginess that feels fresh on the follow-up to 2013’s acclaimed Ripely Pine.

After fades in with Spaltro’s soulful voice on “Vena Cava”, reminiscent of the band Alvvays until the songs kicks into gear and surprises with a rock twist. The song hinges on her strength with just a guitar and her voice, while during the chorus she has the tenacity of Courtney Love with the powerful calm of Feist.

The lead single “Billions of Eyes” kicks off with the immediacy of Death Cab For Cutie, albeit with a female vocalist. Spaltro’s voice feels contemporary, in the vein of Molly Rankin of Alvvays or Sia in resilience. The indie-pop vibe fits in comfortably with Lady Lamb’s oeuvre, while balanced with a style completely unique to her.

The second single “Spat Out Spit” carries a mellow and calming vibe while her voice feels transportative. Recalling the haunting melodies of Florence & the Machine, the lyrics (“How strange we all are…”) relate to isolationism while the beat and melody make the heart quiver and raise goose bumps on the skin. “Milk Duds” continues an indie vibe while its chorus sounds like a beautiful dream, building the bridge from pop to indie. On “Ten”, Lady Lamb’s lyrics, (“My sister, she lives with me, even when we are a part, we were wading through the water.”) conjure a sense of closeness and family. The album ends with “Atlas”, a song that opens the windows and doors to pouring sunlight into the soul.

Essential Tracks: “Vena Cava”, “Ten”, “Atlas”,  and “Spat Out Spit”.