Review Summary: Alvvays on my mind
Janelane’s debut LP is a compelling set of ruminations on heartbreak - the lyricism isn’t particularly complex or original, but LA-based singer Sophie Negrini’s delivery, backed by tasteful arrangements, creates an engrossing atmosphere which mirrors the urbane night-time vibe of the album artwork.
Love Letters delves into sonic territory associated with acts like Alvvays, Jay Som, and Japanese Breakfast - in short, vocal-driven tunes on the pop side of dream pop. As such, the ten tracks presented here don’t exactly break new ground, but they’re all, at minimum, pretty good, while also being reasonably varied - the upbeat “Useless” might be the catchiest offering, the title track slows things down with its stately elegance, “One Way Streets” adds in some twang, “Think I’d Be Fine Without You” is a burst of punkish energy, and the closer “Since I Lost You” is wonderfully ethereal. Outside of the lengthy list of standouts, a few songs might not quite measure up to that high bar, but
Love Letters is still an impressive first full-length which should entertain and even enrapture listeners through its rather short runtime.
