LYRA encapsulates herself in a stunning self-titled debut

Through 14 tracks, the songwriter displays her musical prowess through a dynamic exploration of genres and themes, as she tells stories of her past relationships, falling in and out of love and navigating heartbreak. The album has been a longtime in the making. Written pre-covid, the album was put on hold, with LYRA unable to record her vocals amidst lockdowns without annoying her neighbours. A few years later and it's clear that it was worth the wait. LYRA is a powerful and totally intoxicating release, packed full of emotions, there is something for everyone, as we follow LYRA on her journey through heartbreak, grief, anger and rejection. She shares, “I wanted it to be a way that the listeners can get to know me from the only way I feel most comfortable expressing myself – music.”

Kicking off the release is “America” – a track which details LYRA’s time in Los Angeles where she went to write some of the album. With candid and relatable lyrics, LYRA admits, “I was very much in my single phase. I met a guy there and had a whirlwind holiday romance like it was out of the movies. It’s a nice reminder of how carefree I felt.” Starting things off slowly, with a softer touch and deep, velvet vocals, LYRA eases us into the album, teasing us with what's yet to come.

Then there is the mysterious and smoldering “Chess”. This song epitomises the importance of living your most authentic self. As LYRA refuses to conform to other people's ideologies, she talks about how life can sometimes feel like playing a game of chess, anticipating the calculated maneuvers of others and sculpting our own path. LYRA confides, “At the start of my career, people in the music industry were trying to categorise me. I had to assert that I wasn’t going to fit neatly into a box, and because I refused to go along with what they wanted, I didn’t get some opportunities I thought I deserved. As a kid, my dad taught me how to play chess, and it was such a mind game that it felt it was an appropriate theme.” With a throbbing beat and sultry vocals, “Chess” is both seductive and hypnotic.

Radio hit “Falling” marks a poignant time for LYRA, being the first single to be released with Polydor, after she signed with them in 2016. The track resulted in a Choice Music Prize Song of the Year nomination in 2019 and it's clear to see why. With swirling synths and oscillating beats, the track sonically mimics the motion of falling through the sky, enveloping listeners in an immersive and ethereal descent. Speaking of the conception of “Falling”, LYRA explains, “This was prompted from finding out that a guy I was seeing was on Tinder. I got it in my mind that maybe if I was cooler, or a bit more like this or that, then he wouldn’t want to look elsewhere.”

LYRA also features the pumping club banger “Lovers”. The honest and deeply personal track stems from a more sombre time in LYRA’s life but ends up being a positive, uplifting anthem as she shares, “I started writing this when my relationship was ending, and subconsciously I was missing that warm and glowing feeling you get when you’re falling in love. This is a song for people who love being in love, and that includes me – I’ll never give up on love.” The fast-paced track shimmers with iridescent synths and spine-tingling harmonies that echo in the distance, emitting an overall euphoric feeling.

LYRA is a remarkable release for the Irish artist, as she continues to forge out her own unique path, demanding attention and winning over our hearts. With her distinctive sound and unparalleled talent, it’s certain we’re going to be hearing a lot more from her this year and beyond.