8/10

Since the release of her breakthrough debut album 'Long Way Home' in 2016, singer and songwriter Låpsley has found herself as one of this country's most prized new artists. With an ear for musical dexterity and a progressive vision for herself, those initial singles were greeted as a breath of fresh air within what was a stagnating alt-pop environment. But four years down the line and the world becoming an ever more dramatic place to live, she has begun to look outside of herself for inspiration behind her follow-up 'Through Water', a record that sees her grow ever more as an artist.

Opening with the album's title-track, 'Through Water' begins with a spoken word inclusion about the dangers of climate change and how water will ultimately become one of our biggest problems in the years to come. This obviously sets a state of mind in which to listen to this new collection, one that appreciates the delicate nature of our world and what we can do to keep it moving in a positive direction. This thread of emotion sustains itself for much of the release as she delivers one breathtaking and sweeping offering after another, creating this blissfully ambient LP that just seems to melt into your mind.

Much like her debut release, 'Through Water' seems to keep its finger firmly on the pulse of today's musical listener, both politically and sonically, making for an extremely timely and relevant full-length. Låpsley may have stunned us before, but this new offering seems to be so much more, adding yet another rich and vibrant layer to her growing legacy.