Lauriana Mae - City of Diamonds EP
Pop/Jazz/Hip Hop
Atlantic Records
Posted 3/19/15 - 11:47 PM ET
Lauriana Mae returns with a new EP and a more mature sound and carrying. She has also ditched most of the big band style accompaniment she had on her last outing that TLR reviewed, this time she has opted for a more Pop and modern Jazz heavy sound with Hip Hop aspects joined in as well. To back up for a moment, in saying that her sound has matured is not a slam against her older material, I rather liked her last three song EP, Love Mae, but her lyrics were mostly concerned with love and money in those three songs; and love from idealized viewpoint. On City of Diamonds, her lyrics are much more soulful and have deeper emotions laid bare in the lyrics and her delivery of them in song.
If the songs on this EP is indicative of where Lauriana will be focusing her music for a while, this reviewer is down to continue following her career and hopefully take in a live show for review here at TLR as well. In only five songs the singer from Redbank, New Jersey, has redefined her identity as a performer and it is an impressive redefinition well deserving of a listen.
Track list:
- Protect Ya Neck
- NYPD Blues
- This Pain (feat. B.o.B.)
- Marvelous
- City of Diamonds
Choice cuts are "NYPD Blues" and the title track.
Lauriana Mae gets a solid 4 out of 5 for her City of Diamonds EP.
For more from Lauriana Mae visit www.laurianamaemusic.com.
- Michael Meade