Singer-songwriter Alas de Liona is set to captivate listeners with her anticipated second album ‘Gravity Of Gold’, out today on her own Deli Owner Records via Absolute Label Services.
The 11-track offeringmarks a significant milestone in Alas de Liona’s musical journey, showcasing her ethereal vocals and introspective songwriting across indie-pop and alt-rock soundscapes. As a testament to the singer-songwriter’s versatility as an artist, it offers listeners a plethora of emotional landscapes. Alongside her live band and producer Rod Jones, founder of Scottish rock band Idlewild, Alas recorded ‘Gravity Of Gold’ at Post Electric studios in Leith late last year.
The message of the album is essentially about navigating the inner workings of one’s mind and heart; the processes of memory, dream, curiosity, loneliness, delusion, fear, and denial in a quest for understanding. Despite these heavy themes, many of the songs are instrumentally and melodically lighter and airier, employing catchy pop hooks and empowering backing vocals. Within this framework there is stylistic variation, ranging from jaunty beach-rock to darker art-pop, but all maintaining cohesion via instrumental through-lines, consistent mixes, vocal tones, and lyrical flow.
Alas de Liona: “The tracks from ‘Gravity of Gold’ are intended to function as both stand-alone songs and part of the album’s artistic entirety. Most of the songs are more up-tempo than my previous work and demonstrate a shift away from folk and into the indie pop/rock sphere, which is where I plan to develop my sound moving forward.”
The album opens with ’19.3’, an indie-pop gem that delves into the complexities of love in the face of adversity. This is followed by lead single ‘Analogy’, a haunting folk/rock journey that navigates the labyrinth of memory and self-delusion, showcasing Alas’ introspective side. Watch the ‘Analogy’-video here.
We then encounter second single ‘Violet’, a beachy tune that perfectly encapsulates Alas’ ability to craft deceptively upbeat melodies that mask deeper, more complex themes.
Indie-pop ballad ‘Vine Song’ examines the dangers of loving the illusion of someone, and after comes ‘Promises’ asa gritty alt-pop/indie-rock commentary on the pressures of social media. These tracks highlight Alas’ keen observational skills and her ability to translate modern anxieties into compelling storytelling. Video here.
‘Driftwood’ offers a moment of reflection, its chill sound providing the perfect backdrop for analysing the aftermath of relationships. This introspective mood continues with downtempo ballad ‘The Miller’, exploring the art of self-deception as a coping mechanism, serving as a thematic companion to the earlier ‘Analogy’ but with a softer touch.
As we near the album’s conclusion, ‘Materia Medica’ presents a melancholic piece with gradual build, contemplating self-medication and our own destructive patterns. ‘Summer Rain’ follows, an airy ode to insomnia, contemplation, and the struggles of daily life, its soaring melodies providing a contrast to the weight of its themes.
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To beautifully finish of the album, ‘The Question’ ponders life’s existential questions, setting the stage for a poignant finale. Lastly, ‘The Alchemist’s Son’ closes with another reflective note, examining the cost of pursuing one’s dreams and serving as a fitting culmination to the journey that is ‘Gravity of Gold’.
About Alas de Liona:
Born in Los Angelesand raised in the Mojave Desert’s Ridgecrest, Alas de Lionacame to the UK to complete a university course, during which her musical talents emerged. After a successful crowd-funding campaign, she self-released her debut album, ‘Lightning and Fire’ in 2017, merging folky and synth elements with haunting melodies and her imaginative and poetic lyrics. Eventually, summer 2023 saw Alas make a life changing move from the US to live full time in Scotland.
Alas continued her progression as an artist in 2020 during her time at university to record the ‘Radio Astronomy’ EP and released it the following year. It was praised by national radio and publications like BBC Radio Scotland, Amazing Radio, Scotland on Sunday, YMX, Indie Music Center and got picked up by over 400 Spotify playlists. For the EP’s five music videos, Alas created them under specific creative limitations, showing her inventiveness.
In 2022, she made her debut at Celtic Connections opening for Kathryn Joseph and Tinderbox in Glasgow. She has since opened for powerhouses like Rufus Wainwright, Travis, Callum Beattie, Sister Sledge and has played her first headline shows in Glasgow and Edinburgh. She also appeared as a special guest alongside Hamish Hawk and Admiral Fallow at The Proclaimers’ Big Top Concerts.
With the new album and confirmed live appearances throughout summer at the likes of Belladrum and Glasgow’s Summer Nights at the Bandstand festivals, with further autumn dates to be announced, Alas will continue her promising year with no signs of slowing down.
