Lissie
My Wild West
(Lionboy Records)

Lissie’s debut album, Catching a Tiger, was all about indie folk pop that emphasized her incredible voice. Following that, 2013’s Back to Forever added a sleek ’80s tinge to her signature sound. Now, Lissie has shed the synths and traded in California for a farm of her own. The Lissie of My Wild West is a little older, a little wiser, and connecting to the basics once more. “I want my forty acres in the sun,” Lissie croons on “Hero,” and that sense of longing is permeable through the record. The piano-driven “Hollywood” documents her disillusionment with the dreams that tempt so many like her to the west coast. On “Stay,” Lissie addresses the abandonment of friends. Banjo provides refreshing accompaniment as her voice swells and then retreats, as though she is accepting defeat and moving on. This makes it sound as though My Wild West is a depressing record. On the contrary, this is the sound of a woman taking control of her life and ridding herself of the negativity in her life. “Don’t You Give Up on Me” is a dance-tinged plea to a lover to keep faith in her as she suffers a crisis of confidence. “Daughters” has the least personal lyrics on the album, instead addressing all women. This isn’t an anthem out to empower a certain type of woman. Instead, Lissie addresses harassment, violence, and the burden on women to even “carry the water.” “Women of the world, we have a voice,” she declares. It’s the most passionate Lissie gets on My Wild West, and rightfully so.