SXSW Record Reviews
Lissie
My Wild West (Cooking Vinyl)
Reviewed by Doug Freeman, Fri., March 18, 2016
"Maybe it's time that I was leaving," sighs Lissie Maurus in opening her third LP with "Hollywood," which plays throughout as a personal reflection of turning away from pop-star ambition to something more real. And revealing. Still armed with compositional skill and stunning vocals, Lissie's resignation from California dreaming sets her on a better path, trading instant stardom for a higher-upside career – more Florence Welch than Lana Del Rey. "Wild West" surges in spiraling anxiety and "Hero" burns behind her low dusky vocals. If Lissie's still searching for her best expression, My Wild West comes closer than before. (Thu., 8:20pm, Maggie Mae's Rooftop; Thu., 11pm, Majestic)