It’s crazy when you see people in their late teens and early 20s writing songs that are just as good as those of musicians who are reaching their 30s or 40s. The claim that talent usually beats experience is evident in music. For example, let’s look at Richmond, Virginia, artist Lucy Dacus. At only 20 years old she has her debut, No Burden, currently out, and it shows a musician who is skilled beyond her years. Dacus’ voice has exquisite warmth and vibrato while her guitar exudes deep tones that give her sound an edge.
Influenced by indie rock staples Broken Social Scene and Yo La Tengo along with up and comers like the noise pop act Ava Luna, Dacus achieves her own style with flowing melodies and subtle grit. Her music is beautiful with a bit of dirt that keeps things honest. Self-reflection is a recurring theme in her songs — you can tell that Dacus is just your average girl in her early stages of adulthood who’s getting to know herself with each song she writes. It’s genuine and poetic music.
One of the refreshing things I get to experience as a music journalist is seeing the next wave of artists presenting their talents. No Burden puts Dacus in that select group; the album is so good I’m already excited to hear what she has next. For an in-depth look at what Dacus’ debut has to offer, check out my top tracks off of the Album Of The Week:
Starting the album off with fuzzy chords and Dacus crooning lyrics for the outcasts, “I Don’t Wanna Be Funny Anymore” is in on an anthem for the ones who struggle to fit in. “Strange Torpedo” has a rhythmic array of riffs and beats that combine for a full audial assault. Dacus ups the ante on vocals with a lot of soul and heartfelt feeling. With a thunderous beat and a bluesy chord, “Troublemaker Doppleganger” has Dacus showing her take on Delta blues that gives a different spin on a timeless genre.
Lucy Dacus has a slew of shows happening over the next few months with stops at Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn on February 28, a hometown show at The Broadberry on March 4 and a New England show at One Longfellow Square in Portland, Maine, on April 5. Let’s hope she comes through Providence soon because her debut is absolutely stellar. Next time you hit up your local record store or you log on to wherever to download music, get yourself of No Burden from Lucy Dacus. It’s one of the best albums to come out in the first half of 2016 and you can be sure you’ll see Dacus’ debut on a few end-of-the-year lists come December.
Stream “I Don’t Want To Be Funny Anymore” on BandCamp: http://lucydacus.bandcamp.com/track/i-dont-wanna-be-funny-anymore
Like Lucy Dacus on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lucy.dacus