(June 8, 2020) As a regular on our SoulTracks pages for a long while, Lianne La Havas stand strongs on our radar. Her voice, which exudes power and peace, often capped with intricate guitar stylings, recently earned her a spot in our 10 Gems series – showcasing a playlist featuring her most representative work. And the singer/songwriter’s bold reinvention of a definitive Aretha classic, “I Say A Little Prayer,” deserves further worthiness.
Considered part of a successful group of U.K. voices in the past two decades such as Adele and Amy Winehouse, La Havas has received less recognition in the U.S. Yet her artistically fascinating way with a song has established for her a fine career since her 2012 debut, Is Your Love Big Enough.
For her first release of new music since 2016, First Listen brings back La Havas’ latest single “Can’t Fight” from her long-awaited CD (Warner Bros./Nonesuch). Engrossed in a steady R&Bish samba anchored by La Havas’ trademark guitar strums, “Can’t Fight” details the urgency in a love connection: “When did heaven get this heavy/Everything’s right until it’s wrong/But something about you feels like home.” The heavenly backing voices accent the gentle mood, despite a contrasting intense storyline. Much like her previous work, La Havas figures out ways – musically and stylistically – to always keep everything interesting. Enjoy!
By Peggy Oliver
Lianne La Havas – “Can’t Fight”