released: december 6th, 2024

from: cape town, south africa

genre: soul / jazz

label: self-released

a few thoughts: there’s a tone and depth to lauren manning’s voice that i find utterly captivating. the london-based south african singer has released four walls, her debut album, not too long ago and i’m blown away by the sweet, soulful melodies throughout the 11-track album that lauren serenades with her gorgeous voice, as well as the rich textures of the live instrumentation – the intricate drumming, especially on tracks like “unrequited”, one of the many highlights on the album. the dynamic piano melody, the chorus of singers, and lauren’s playful yet emotive vocals that speak on unrequited love, being vulnerable about past experiences while embodying this feeling of freedom and letting go. it relates to my own personal growth journey these days, which is what makes me really drawn to the themes throughout the album. she speaks her truth unapologetically, and knowing her personally i’m inspired by her continuous growth as a human being and as an artist. “ocean deep” is a stunning track, with a mystical, meandering composition, with synths, keys that are hypnotic throughout. the strings on “love in chaos” are gorgeous, with a piano and string-led melody that is utterly mesmeric and beautiful. the melancholic yet light and immersive “seventeen” is stunning too, an utterly hypnotic moment, its strings and brass instrumentation creating this subdued yet powerful energy to it, while lauren’s vocals are full of power and emotion – the climax of the record is just sublime. “stranger” is another moving and empowering song, while “melatonin” is a fitting closer, as she reflects on her relationship with herself and others around her with a gentleness that is brought both through her sweet and soulful voice and the light piano-led soundscape that feels grandiose and entrancing from start to finish. four walls is an ambitious and expansive body of work from an artist who feels confident in the person that she is becoming, with reflections on life, love and personal growth on an album that sounds sweet, incredibly soulful and immersive from start to finish.

the album: