Ladyhawke - Album Sampler (Album)
Ladyhawke is the alias of New Zealand born muso Pip Brown, whose previous musical efforts have included playing lead guitar in New Zealand band Two-Lane Blacktop, and Teenager with Nick Littlemore from Pnau (whom she also collaborated with on their song Embrace). With her current project, Brown (as Ladyhawke) signed to the immensely popular, uber-cool Modular records (Wolfmother, The Presets, etc). So, with an impressive history in the industry and a record deal with a label that provides immediate street cred, the question remains; is Ladyhawke any good?
The answer, put simple, is yes. This five-track Album Sampler plays like a high quality EP. There is an effortless fluidity apparent between each track, and all five compliment each other. Lead single Paris Is Burning is an undeniably catchy, wonderfully crafted electro-pop gem, and the ability for the verses, chorus and bridge to have noticeably different rhythms, yet still flow together so well is a testimony to Ladyhawke’s musical prowess.
Dusk To Dawn ups the synth and electronic influences, sounding like an 80’s song that, well, half the bands of the 80’s probably wish they’d made. This trend of vintage cool carries on through the rest of the tracks. Traces of Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Girls Just Wanna Have Fun’ can be heard in the verses of Back Of The Van, My Delirium expertly combines electronic and rock elements in what is the most rapid-paced song on the album sampler. The final track, Magic, is as good as any pop song we’ve heard in a long while, and is undoubtedly a highlight.
Ultimately, this five-track teaser of what listeners can expect from Ladyhawke is well-written, masterfully-crafted, and establishes Pip Brown and her alias as an act worthy of your time.
