Laynie Cantu Plews - Laynie Cantu Plews (Album Review)
Laynie Cantu Plews is making her debut as a solo artist, but she has been building to this point for years. I first met her when we briefly lived together in a house infamous for changing hands between various musicians, and at the time I knew she was being educated at GRCC as a vocalist. After a couple of moves, she currently resides with her partner, multi-instrumentalist Justin Wierenga, and their bandmate Anthony Emery (The Emery Plews Band), allowing her to truly come into her own voice with some wonderful artists to lend support. These two supporting artists dove right in for this album, a first production venture for the pair of performers as well. This combination of life experience, patience in crafting her songs, and the environment and tools to record these ideas all has grown into her first, self-titled release!
“Mouth Blood” opens the album with an almost Western-movie-soundtrack flare, things are kept sparse with the vocals on display, showcasing Laynie’s range and style while later supporting it through some powerful vocal harmonies. The story continues with “Azulito,” an intimate listening experience that introduces piano and electric guitar tastefully into the supporting accompaniment. “Cynical Expectations” is a love song that chronicles a love that transcends one’s own cynical thoughts around love, something I’m sure many of us can relate to when trying to trust that love is real. If love is real on this record, it’s found in “Robins & Starlings,” a wonderful tune that features some great soloing work by Justin Wierenga with some great guitar tones. “That Year” has an interesting mood, with interesting vocal lines and lilting guitars. “Lizard Woman” plays off of some distorted, stop time instruments around the majority of the song, with a brief Latin interlude for some soloing. The album rounds out with two ballads, “Mariza” and “Don’t Come Home,” taking the listener back into an intimate environment fueled with nostalgic vibes that ends on a haunting chord that really fits the mood.
This first release from Laynie is a sign of wonderful things to come. As a songwriter, there are plenty of moments that channel her love for Chicano heritage and her inspiration from artists like Dolly Parton, crafting songs from the heart that speak to her experiences. Take that and pair it with the supportive sounds and styles from Justin Wierenga and Anthony Emery, and you know these songs are ready for the stage. It’s refreshing to hear an artist that doesn’t try to copy a trend, but rather seeks her own voice through patience and practice. If you’ve been looking to inject some new, intimate listening experiences into your library, give this album a listen!
Album Credits:
Alayna Plews: Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Anthony Emery: Piano, Effects, Bass
Justin Wierenga: Pedal Steel/Archtop/Baritone/Electric Guitars, Dobro, Percussion
Music and Lyrics by Alayna Plews
Engineered by Anthony Emery and Justin Wierenga
Bandcamp: https://layniecantuplews.bandcamp.com/releases
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alayna.plews.56
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/layneback/
Check out her main group, The Emery Plews Band:
Website: https://emeryplewsband.weebly.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emeryplewsband/
Reverbnation (Demo): https://www.reverbnation.com/emeryplewsband/
