AWmusic

Besides being a pretty face and a fellow Canadian, Lights offers a medley of synth-infused pop. Her brand of music is something that most definitely has been attempted, but her style is what sets her apart. The self titled EP released in Canada features 6 tracks, all of which have a compelling flare to them. Ice is the first track and right away listeners get a sense of the kind of innocent and simple music Lights is known for. The most notable element to her music is the fun and addictive synthetic melodies played throughout the album. Being simple is probably her greatest strength, and having pop-dramatic beats gives off a very sweet and welcoming aura. When matched with her warm vocals, the finished product is something that’s almost euphoric and very calming. Ice is one of the faster-paced tracks featured on this EP, and the chorus can get pretty lively and vibrant, something like a dance track. Ice features one of the most robust synthetic beats on the album with a variety of different sounds it makes for a very interesting and entertaining listen.

The next two tracks are her singles, Drive My Soul and February Air. Drive My Soul is a touching track about love among other things. The vocals in this song put it over the top, probably why it was such a hit in Canada. Valerie has a very powerful presence even though her voice is more underwhelming and sweet by nature. The tone is passionate and emotional making it the most epic track on the EP. Drive My Soul is appropriately titled, because it provokes the emotions of listeners and provides a heavy but pleasant sound. February Air is much more upbeat but still ties itself with an emotional backdrop. The great thing about Lights is she so easily infuses a sense of genuine meaning and soul in her very pop endorsed music, something that is hard to find in this money-driven industry. February Air doesn’t have the presence of Drive My Soul, but more fittingly uses the upbeat vocals of Lights. All things combined, it’s a very soft and mellow track but beautiful in sound.

The EP finished off in similar fashion with three more tracks that all speak volumes, using simple and soft elements. I Owe You One is another example of a really simple theme, sequenced perfectly to create a great sound. Lights should also be complimented on her affectionate lyrics that are honest and friendly. I Owe You One is so clever and charming using nothing more than an everyday line as her premise about a special someone. It has that affable sound as heard from her hit single February Air, and is overall a nice listen. Lights has proven she produces very likeable music, but that only describes the half of it. Beyond a pleasant tune, she provides an upbeat morale and a wealth of emotional bullets that pierce deep into the fans. Her mainstream success so far is a step in the right direction for her and the genre as a whole. Hopefully 09 will see more of this type of pop on the radio.

Check out her Myspace for official tour dates and album info.

Lights – February Air
Lights – I Owe You One

Tags: EP