If you are not yet familiar with Lights, she is more than just an award-winning electro-pop/rock Canadian musician. She fills her own mold when it comes to the formation of creativity and pushing beyond the limits of an industry that can feel very pressuring and restricting at times.
We'll cover a light background first. Her first full release in 2009, The Listening, enchanted us with soft melodic vocals and dreamy synth sounds. This was just the beginning of what we would all come to appreciate of her talents. Since then she has released multiple albums reflecting her experiences in life, love, musical growth, and studio expertise. Siberia, her sophomore album was more gritty with heavy bass elements. Little Machines, her most recent electronic release, works the sentiments of getting older through the use of propelling beats, but it doesn’t stop there.
In music, there are those moments in between the notes and the beats where we pause. Lights brings this idea to life with acoustic releases of each album. The most recent, Midnight Machines (acoustic counterpart to Little Machines) treats us to late night vibes and a different perspective to the same songs.
“They’re different songs. I mean, they’re the same but some have chord changes.. sometimes you have to work it to make it beautiful in its own right where if you heard it for the first time you wouldn’t have need to know the original,” Lights on stripping down from electronic to acoustic.
As she states herself, the songs are the same but different. If you were to listen to any of her electronic songs and then listen to an acoustic rendition, it’s like watching a child grow. We’ll focus on the transformation of some of the songs as they went from electronic to acoustic.
Muscle Memory (Little Machines)
There is a lot of energy here and you can sense her longing for that special someone. It has somewhat of a ghost-like feel and might even encourage some muscle movement to the beat. In this version, she leaves it as more of a traditional song with the verse, chorus, and bridge set up. Now, give the acoustic rendition a hear.
Muscle Memory (Midnight Machines)
This stripped down version allows the sensual elements to shine a lot more while also highlighting and embracing the way our bodies react to the strong emotion of love. Here, she changes some of the lyrical approaches, yet keeping it grounded to it’s original make up.
"Midnight Machines is more than just an acoustic record, it's a complete reinvention of some of the songs from Little Machines. I worked with a string section and my band to create this ultra vibey, late night version.”
Her approach is also very strategic. She allows herself to grow and broaden her fan base where if you weren't a fan of the electronically produced songs, you can enjoy a more mellow sound.
Midnight Machines includes a select list of songs from its electronic counterpart, along with two additional songs that weren't on Little Machines. Give them a listen. Which one fancied your ears the most?!
