Lucy Rose Live Review – Rough Trade East 7 July 2015

by Rhiannon Law July 13, 2015

July 13, 2015

Lucy Rose on stage at Rough Trade East on 7 July 2015

With her second album dividing opinion, Lucy Rose took to the stage at Rough Trade East for a memorable performance that proved the doubters wrong.

This was the first time I’ve seen the staff at Rough Trade East checking for wristbands for an in store performance. They had obviously been expecting a big crowd to turn out for Lucy Rose and they weren’t disappointed.

Cover of Work It Out album by Lucy Rose Lucy Rose has moved on since the release of her folk fuelled debut album Like I Used To. Second album Work It Out has big beats, plenty of synths and punchier lyrics whilst still showcasing her storytelling abilities and delicate vocals. She promised that this record would “sort a few things out. Who I am. What I do.” However some critics have labelled this latest release “nondescript” and just, well, pleasant. They have also seemingly accused Rose of being too nice. On first listen it felt like she was developing her style and finding her voice on this record. I hoped that this short set would cement the sense of progression I could hear on the new album.

Rose arrived on stage and went straight into the uplifting swinging country sound of Like An Arrow, with its ridiculously catchy chorus showcasing her full vocal range. Köln is a beats laden electro-folk number that slickly changes pace so it’s practically impossible not to get sucked into its unusual, almost African-sounding, groove.

Rose had invited along the guest vocalists that appear on the new album to join her for her “special day”, the first being Sam Brookes who took to the stage alongside her for the soaring but still punchy She’ll Move. With Rose saying “I thought I couldn’t not play at least one old song” she launches into Middle Of The Bed from the first album. Hearing this track played live with less of a folk feel is proof that Rose is gaining confidence in her own style rather than making a seemingly drastic change of musical direction.

Rae Morris, Rose’s sister in law, joins her on stage to sing My Life, which Rose says is “probably the most special one for me, for many reasons”. Their vocals beautifully compliment each other on a track that shifts from haunting to dreamy and back again in a style reminiscent of Bat For Lashes and this continues into Shelter. Cover Up feels a bit darker than the other tracks, with its bass heavy and electro sound. If it was heftier it wouldn’t be hard to imagine it being something put out by Massive Attack.

The set finishes with the shimmering summer sound of single Our Eyes, which manages to successfully straddle the indie-pop boundary.

Rose gives heartfelt thanks to the large crowd, who have been dancing and clapping along throughout, for spending their money on her record. I guess this is another example of that awful niceness people keep mentioning! I prefer to think of warmth oozing from her music and her attitude. Judging by the amount of devotees queued up for her signing after the show, I’m obviously not the only person who feels this.

Her music continues to grow on me and she’s an engaging performer – what’s not to like? In fact, with this album, I think there may be a growing number of people saying “I love Lucy”.