Lizzy Hardingham - How Did We Get Here?

by Malcolm Carter

published: 7 / 1 / 2023

Label: Lizzy Hardingham
Format: CD

New album from Lizzy Hardingham touching upon the relationship between music and mental health

Review

It’s always tempting and the easy route to try to slot an artist or band into a specific genre. “Sounds like”… “reminds the listener of”…sometimes can’t or shouldn’t be avoided. For those who are unfamiliar to the talents of singer/songwriter Lizzy Hardingham (even that description will be enough to decide more or less what Hardingham will sound like, especially to those of a certain age) it’s difficult to read anything about her without coming to the conclusion that she firmly belongs in the folk music genre. Maybe over the course of the three albums that have reached these ears by Hardingham there was little to suggest otherwise. Her powerful, clear vocals captured the listener’s attention and the arrangements and instrumentation in her songs put her firmly in that genre. Until now that is. While Hardingham has definitely not deserted her folk roots on ‘How Did We Get Here?’ the eight songs indicate that, while her talent was never in question, there is a lot more to Hardingham and her music than was originally thought. ‘How Did We Get Here?’ was funded by Help Musicians UK along with pledges from a Kickstarter campaign and explores the relationship between music and mental health. Each song concludes with snippets from interviews with mental health charities, musicians and music therapists. Initial thoughts were that for all the good intentions these spoken-word clips would distract from the actual songs; in fact, they are actually fascinating and in no time at all become an essential part of the project. There are many comments which deserve quoting but one of the most honest yet amusing is at the end of the first track, ‘The Road’, which Hardingham wrote in response to Luke Jackson’s ‘On The Road’. “We’re professional drivers who do a bit of music on the side” ; the bittersweet life of a musician, loving touring despite the long hours travelling and doing, well, not much at all and the other side of the coin; missing home. ‘The Road’ also gives early indication that Hardingham hasn’t lost any of her lyrical skills, “I rack up more on my club card than I do hours in my bed” while the chorus finds Hardingham confessing “ I just can’t wait to come on home/But I’ve got a heart that’s built to roam,” a sentiment that will register with so many musicians. While the song tells, as most folk songs do, a tale, these ears feel that Hardingham coupled with a full-band sound leans more to blues and soul especially in her vocal performance on this track. It’s a brilliant way to open the album. ‘They Will’ is simply gorgeous. Again, there’s a soul/blues feel to the song and Hardingham’s vocals are so soulful one wonders where her folk stylings have gone. The song concerns the depression felt, heightened by lockdown, by people who felt alone and isolated ; Hardingham reassuring us that close ones will always be there to help through dark times. ‘I Could Have Loved You’ details the pitfalls of beginning a new relationship during a pandemic and being the fourth track on the album is the first song where Hardingham really embraces her folk routes. Set to a drone backing which adds a chilling atmosphere to the tale, it’s a showcase for Hardingham’s powerhouse of a voice. Chills down the spine time. ‘Jumping Waves’, inspired by a friend going through a dark period, once again mixes genres. Those backing vocals are more gospel-inspired than folky and at the risk of repeating myself again Hardingham, on this set of songs with that powerful voice, belongs more in the soul genre than the accepted folk one. These are powerful issues she is dealing with and in such a commanding voice it’s impossible not to be affected by the songs. There’s not a merely good song on this album. Every track is special. One can imagine the crowd singing along to the closing track, ‘Singing Together’: it would be impossible not to be drawn into the atmosphere the song surely creates on stage and it’s a fitting close to the album. A career highlight? Without a doubt. ‘How Did We Get Here?’ breaks down barriers and is highly recommended. As the interviewee at the close of ‘Less Than Two’ asks, “Without music what is the point?” and some of the best music of not only 2022 but the last few decades is right here on ‘How Did We Get Here?’.