- I was lucky enough to be at 4ZZZ during Lucy Francesca Dron’s solo live set for No Apologies last week. I was on my way out the door when Lucy’s voice and guitar convinced me to stick around just a little bit longer. The free-flowing way she integrates both instruments reminded me immediately of Nai Palm of Hiatus Kaiyote fame, and I don’t make that comparison lightly.

Lucy has been making music since she was sixteen, releasing her first EP, Eloqium, four years ago now. Those old recordings are pretty and straightforward, with gentle guitar backing providing the backdrop for weary existential musings. There are lots of promising hints of what is to come, but the overall impression is of someone still finding their feet in a struggle against the fact that “the voice inside likes to hide”, to quote some lyrics.

On Lucy’s new release, Leftovers, we hear that voice coming through loud and clear, and nowhere better than on the standout opener What Is Next? The acoustic has given way to the electric guitar, and Lucy is certainly not hiding that voice anymore. There are vocal acrobatics aplenty on this release; the most obvious comparison is Amy Winehouse, but these are all genuinely unique and inspired moments from Lucy.

Mirrors is a more laid-back number with plenty of groove to keep your head nodding. Take It From Me starts strong and finishes with some of the most gorgeous vocal lines in the track list. Liquid Numbing Pain is an anthemic number that gradually rolls to a boil before fading into Epilogue, a lilting jazzy number that justifies the earlier comparison to the late great Amy.

If I have one criticism, it’s that the backing vocals are rarely utilised to great effect. I think giving more attention to this aspect of the music could give the listener an even greater sense of catharsis at the moments where these songs peak.

Leaving that aside, Lucy Francesca Dron has created a stellar release in Leftovers, and I hope her talent continues to blossom on whatever comes next. When you already have hints of such soulful greats, it gives you a lot to live up to. In such a young artist I can't help but wonder if there's a little more of that voice left hiding inside, still to find its way out.

- Pavle Banovic.