Leah Lawson - Flood House (2022)

On her emotionally charged debut album 'Flood House,' Leah Lawson proves she has something to say. Lawson's pristine vocal performance serves to emphasize poignant and cutting lyrics. This powerfully personal body of work showcases Lawson's seasoned and intricate writing style. From more adolescent musings like "I was there when your grandmother died, we were sure she'd get to heaven" to profoundly mature revelations about humanity and our role in it, the album captivates. "I know a woman is a war. I can never be at peace," she sings on "A Woman Is A War," her voice softly cooing a harsh realization.

These songs are so intimate; It feels as though Lawson has allowed listeners to sit down and read through years of her journals. In "Old Hickory," she expertly untangles complex emotions and lays them bare in front of us. "I wondered if you liked my body, just because you never told me" is just one of the many lines that draw us into her inner circle. Reminiscent of Kathleen Edwards and Noah Gundersen, Lawson takes a brutally raw approach on 'Flood House.' The eight-song album imprints the listener with vivid images like remembered dreams and leaves them wanting more.