Layla Kaylif LOVERS DON’T MEET. Canopus Records

On the single ‘As I Am’.

“The song lyrically speaks for itself.” Layla says. ““Broken as I am can you really love me”? There are some lyric references to Nizar Qabbani (Syrian poet). “Your love is like birth, like death…impossible to repeat”. I’ve always loved this line and wanted to put it into a song. The melody is more modal over that line, to give it that spiritual, otherworldly feel.”

Includng words of lyrical masters like 13th Century persian poet Rumi (’Lovers Don’t Meet’, ‘99′), revered 20th Century Syrian writer and diplomat Nizar Qabbani (’As I Am’), and even Shakespeare on the Antony and Cleopatra inspired ‘Don’t You Know Me Yet?’; Layla channels her worldly influences into a collection of songs that are both spiritual and soul-baring by nature. The track ‘Let Me Count The Ways’, also references Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s seminal work Sonnets from the Portuguese; with the song notably penned to soundtrack in her directorial debut: The Letter Writer, a romantic drama set in the 1960s that will mark Layla’s first foray into cinema.

Recorded in Nashville and produced by Jason Hall (David Nail and the Well Ravens), the record features an impressive line-up of musicians including Reed Pittman and Matt Iceman (David Nail), Cornelius Perry (Francesca Battistellli) and Ben Owens on guitar. Hallmarked with the age enduring musicianship that could only come courtesy of the Capital of Country, LOVERS DON’T MEET pays apposite homage to a genre Layla has always loved so dearly, both as artist and fan. Wearing her influences on her sleeve, the resplendent closing track of the album “Don’t You Know Me Yet?” is intended as a special nod to the Leading Lady of Country herself, Dolly Parton.

Review

It took just a few moments for me to sit up and take notice of this artist who I am totally unfamiliar with. These first few moments occured with the record’s opening track ‘Lovers Don’t Meet’ with its sharp-sounding production and Americana flavour. Opening guitars are joined by a compelling and powerful vocal from Kaylif which oozes expression. The song’s melody carries it along while its rhythm and medium pace generates unstoppable foot-tapping. It’s a great opening gambit.

‘99′ follows in a more reflective tone and pace with Kaylif beautifully matching her vocal to the song’s emotive and romantic message. Hell, this is very impressive from someone most will never have heard of. ‘Mario’ is introduced by an assertive acoustic guitar strum before another wonderful vocal enters, this time with a distinctive folk-rock vibe. The melody is striking and the instrumental arrangement is magical. This could so easily top the playlists of BBC Radio 1 and 2 (if only they would care to listen). The strong American flavour returns with ‘As I Am’ with country guitar featuring strongly and a lovely wandering vocal.

‘Let Me Count The Ways’ (Theme song from THE LETTER WRITER) is another compelling song in which Kaylif exhibits her wide vocal range and ability to write music which is both mature and accessible. ‘One Man Loved Me’ is a slow country rocker which, for me illustrates the value of recording in Nashville with some wonderful session musicians. The record concludes with the gently wandering ‘Don’t You Know Me Yet?’ which I picture playing extensively on USA country radio with enough hooks to empty the Thames!

This is a record that has been on repeat play for a few weeks now and will appeal to anyone with the faintest interest in Country and Americana. It’s nothing  short of a triumph.

4.5/5

WATCH VIDEO HERE: https://youtu.be/4Oy0XQsVWnE

https://www.facebook.com/watch/laylakaylifofficial/