8/10

Maia Friedman originally began work on her solo material more than four years ago while teaching music and performing in bands across New York. But since then, she found herself in high demand elsewhere. Invited to join Dirty Projectors in 2018 left her diary fully booked with tours and studio time, not to mention her recent outfit Coco also breaking through and delivering their self-titled debut LP last year. But finally she has managed to find the time to complete her long-awaited debut album 'Under The New Light', which showcases her as one of the more exciting new talents we have heard in a while.

Not to be overshadowed by her work within Dirty Projectors and Coco, 'Under The New Light' stands as its own distinctive release that allows Friedman to bring her most effervescent textures to the forefront. With her powerfully warm and alluring voice layered amongst a sweeping bed of atmospheric production gives this new collection a fresh and inviting sound. There is this subtle simplicity to her work as she looks to create broad and euphoric offerings, but never doubles-down on bigger and louder instrumentation to achieve it. Always letting the rich beauty of her songwriting remain the focus of the record's core direction.

It is clear why she has riding a wave of acclaim these last few years, and 'Under The New Light' perfectly cements her place in today's scene. Maia Friedman is a wonderfully proficient songwriter with all the hallmarks of greatness laced within her work.