I have heard many albums over the years that reach for that golden Laurel Canyon sound of the late sixties. It evokes such specific imagery, so many wide chasms of warm open aired relaxed vibes, good time feelings that stir your soul and retrieve by proxy memories of sun-drenched harmonious times. What defines that sound is less specific, but it has basic, singer-songwriter values with lush acoustics, fuzzy guitar embellishments, a little gentle rhythm, harmony and sunshine, the outdoor space for the music to breathe is pretty vital too. But the thing that so many artists have missed out over the years, something which in absence can make a Laurel Canyon sounding album quite a dull affair, is great songwriting. And that is where Erin Rae has succeeded with her 2022 sophomore album, arriving three years after her debut ‘Putting On Airs’, for she has delivered an album that is positively rammed with great songs.

For evidence of this just listen to one of the many stand out tracks, ‘California Belongs To You’; decorated as it is with desolate mountain range guitar solos, propelled as it is by a moving shuffling rhythm, descend as the chorus does in an aching motion, it is all mere magic dust sprinkled over a superb turning away song, a piece that recognizes how a location can remain indelibly linked to a person you associate it with. Within the lyrics mentioning sun tans and the sea is an instant reference point in which, with the spot-on contributions of Erin’s collaborators of this album, the sound and classic Laurel Canyon era are strikingly evoked. This is largely thanks to producer Jonathan Wilson, a purveyor of expansive psychedelic country himself with much kudos as a facilitator, he really knew how to find the sonic scenes that these tunes needed to flourish in.

Listen to ‘Cosmic Sigh,’ a floating gem that is as accurately titled as a rock song using the word ‘rock’ in its title, here the tune gently awakens to a panorama of strings and gorgeous widescreen production. The range of textures throughout marry up so well with Erin’s own assessment that this record represents her “accepting her humanness.” She is certainly spreading her wings in composition and feeling confident enough to take the songs in whatever musical direction the seed of inspiration dictates. Consequently, we get delightful shifts in tone, like in the way ‘Cosmic Sigh’ is followed by the pumping country-pop feelgood triumph that is ‘Modern Woman,’ a great number that punches out at ideas of womanhood past their sell by date, “come see a modern woman” indeed.

Kevin Morby shows up to share the vocals on ‘Can’t See Stars,’ very much a heavy hitter in the Americana scene over the past ten years and not one to unquestioningly put his name to just anything, his stoned-sounding presence lends a cool grounded counterpoint to a tune looking towards the sky. Elsewhere the presence of names like Jake Blanton and Drew Erickson provides Erin with the tools to fully explore these songs and because they are such fully formed compositions, everyone involved seems to up their game for the good of the songs. It results in an album that has remained one of the records of the year thanks to its consistency, the absence of weak links and the eloquence in the playing and expression. Final words should go to Erin Rae herself, who claims “this one is about blossoming, opening up and living a little more in the present moment. Accepting what it is to be human.” ‘Lighten Up’ invites the listener to take time, breathe deep and listen; the pay back for making that commitment is one of the standout cosmic American music collections of the year.

Buy a vinyl copy of ‘Lighten Up’ here: https://www.discogs.com/release/22035103-Erin-Rae-Lighten-Up