The second single and closing track off Lisa Caruso’s upcoming EP Stretching challenges the existential notions of the self in a new synth style.
Hailing from Sydney, country-tinged indie artist Lisa Caruso released her debut album, In Feelings, in 2020. The highly-acclaimed work drew comparisons to alternative pop gems like Sharon Van Etten and PJ Harvey.
With Sarah Blasko and Boy & Bear support slots under her belt, Caruso’s shown a desire to spread her wings sonically over the past couple of years.
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Her 2021 single It Doesn’t Feel Like Christmas, a heartfelt ballad revolving around a sudden loss, hinted towards a careful ear for soundscapes. In July, she gave fans the first taste of her sophomore EP, Stretching, set to be unveiled on September 15.
On What If My Body Could Love Like You, Caruso’s shimmering vocals interweave with an electronic sway. But it’s her newest single, Your Show, that best flatters this complementary pairing, giving her strongest vocal moment yet atop emotive synths.
It’s here that that ear for detail is on full display, planting a meticulously lush soundscape filled with wisps of piano clutter and a looming bass note. A sturdy yet soft drum beat locks everything into place, letting Caruso’s double-tracked cries of “Just let it go” uplift the listener in the choruses.
The biggest treat in this three-and-a-half-minute epic is the bridge: a powerful build of keyboard and drum hits that explodes into a colourful whirring guitar solo. Caruso’s at her most poignant here, showcasing her vocal range with ease as the instrumental flourishes up and beyond.
Spoken vocals ballet through the outro, slipping off the tongue with careless sincerity – “You had it all planned out / In life, in love, in music, in art”. For Caruso, it’s a recognition of the unexpected, yet with an understanding of what’s to come – a newfound ground on which she can stand firm.
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