Lana Nauphal - Wildland (2024)

New York based Lana Nauphal has conjured up a beguiling debut here, as the tracks unfold before the listener with a languid but purposeful vibe. The opener ‘Be As It May’, a simple narrative perched upon some crystalline instrumentation highlight Nauphal’s warm and engaging voice. There are hints of Ronstadt here and these become more obvious on ‘Is It Raining In California’ with its wistful lyric and bluesy shuffle as the pedal steel laments distance and separation. ‘If These Are The Days’ is a piano-based ballad that takes flight as Nauphal’s voice flutters towards the high notes and the subtle backing singers compliment the performance. This is a measured production courtesy of Tim Bidwell (Kate Walsh) and one that certainly makes sure that everything is supporting the song rather than the ‘production’, there is restraint here that allows the performance to shine. The joy of the laughter in ‘Colour Me Gold’ lifts the simple love song beyond the ordinary and ‘Sure As The Score’ is a pitch perfect stew of lazy beats and midnight horns as Nauphal sings ‘And I run in circles, I pay in dimes, Counting my blessings, at the feet of your crimes’

There are elements of Mitchell in this album with the lyrical allusions but there is also a feeling of Carol King’s ‘Tapestry’ and a Laurel Canyon vibe that speaks of Electra Records circa 1971-2. Which can be no bad thing. Explore and enjoy. Recommended.