After the joy of giving birth to her first child, Lucy Rose was left in unbearable agony from undiagnosed osteoporosis. Through such a bewildering time she found solace in music, inspiring this new album ‘This Ain’t the Way You Go Out’ recorded at Paul Weller’s studio with a brilliant band of musicians.
Lucy’s last two albums were both beautiful, but vulnerable, perhaps weighed down somewhat by the inevitable disappointments of a career in the music industry. One track ‘Song after Song’ was about the constant misery she felt and how she tried to write and sing her way out of the slump.
Here on this new album she sounds transformed from that place – despite physical challenges her music is lighter, more upbeat, joyful and life-affirming. ‘Light as Grass’ sounds like she’s singing on a cloud, floating above her own pain, caught in the wind. The lyrics take us into her physical discomfort but this escape from reality has brought a feeling of sumptuous soul to her sound.
Could You Help Me? is a cry for help, about the loneliness of illness and how this impacts on relationships and yet the jazzy, speeded up sound of the beat makes it a toe-tapper. The unusual mishmash of sounds and layers feels like a heartbeat, or the confused jumble inside of a body – broken but still working somehow.
Much of the record was written on piano and the instrument suits her mood perfectly on Dusty Frames. The song takes us inside her emotional desolation and crushed dreams, yet it feels and sounds so beautiful at the same time.
On the next song ‘Whatever You Want’ she sings of the ‘miracle and disaster, all in one fell swoop’ of becoming a mother. She tries to bring herself some peace by thinking back to simpler times in her past, the joy of having the baby in her arms.
Another beautiful feature of the album are the instrumental Interludes, one even featuring her baby cooing along with the piano, just a lovely, lovely little moment. No words needed.
Life’s Too Short is a simple reminder to embrace the present, showcasing some gorgeous flute playing. ‘It Ain’t Over’ is a soulful groove about trying to save a relationship, its defiant refrain as catchy as anything she’s ever written.
The title track of the record is really powerful, a memoir of her suffering and challenges, leading up to the acceptance of her new reality and honouring the fact that ‘this brave body is still carrying me’. She credits the hook of this song to the charity support worker who called her every day during the worst time of her pain and refused to let her admit defeat.
Closer ‘The Racket’ is just a brilliant, cathartic breakdown where she lets herself go and freewheels through misery to acceptance and freedom with the band following her into music oblivion. There’s an epic softness to her ‘racket’ and I’ve never heard her voice sound better.
Due to her situation, and the imminent arrival of a second child, Lucy has no plans to tour which is understandable. One day I hope to hear these songs performed because she has created an astonishing musical dreamscape that feels so warm, welcoming and wise.
This record really is a little miracle, something to savour and one I know will bring much comfort and light to anyone who listens.
Highway Queens 
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