On April 16th, the British indie-pop band London Grammar released their third album, Californian Soil. The album is introduced with the appropriately titled opening track ‘Intro,’ setting the tone with mystical and mysterious sounds.
The trio London Grammar is best known for the distinctive voice of singer Hannah Reid. The band gained popularity with the powerful song Strong. London Grammar’s Californian Soil features several hits, including Lose Your Head and How Does It Feel. These are great for making the album known to a wider audience. Comparisons with bands like Florence + The Machine and Imagine Dragons can certainly be made.
The acoustic sounds of the guitar and piano, typical for London Grammar, are gradually being replaced by digital sounds. This transition suits the band well and is effectively showcased on this album. The band has already proven that Hannah Reid’s voice shines in digital music. Just check out their collaboration with producer Flume on Let You Know. The current hit How Does It Feel might seem like another collaboration with the producer. Nevertheless it is indeed the work of London Grammar themselves.
Popmusic with a theme
London Grammar gave their new music a theme. The album title, the title track and closing track America, also contribute lyrically to it. While the majority of the songs revolve around relationships, the overarching theme is about maintaining control over one’s own life. Singer Hannah Reid mentioned that she associates this with the American Dream, which is often not entirely within one’s control. Hence, Reid and her bandmates Dan Rothman and Dominic Major incorporate a subtle Americana sound to the music. Also the titles and lyrics are relevant.
For those expecting a more “indie” sound from London Grammar, this album might not entirely meet those expectations. Nevertheless, Californian Soil by London Grammar is a solid album with 12 tracks that all align with the theme introduced by Intro. The fact that London Grammar plays more electronic pop does not mean the band has lost its unique sound. The beautiful voice and dark, mystical sounds that London Grammar is known for are still present. These are now further expanded with electronic elements.
