La Luz’s new album, News of the Universe, demonstrates an emotional journey.
News of the Universe is an album in which Shana Cleveland, the band’s songwriter and guitarist, portrays her feelings while going through breast cancer. Her journey is expressed through the rollercoaster of emotions shown in each song of the album.
Many of the songs, including “Always in Love” and “Poppies” display an optimistic outlook on Cleveland’s diagnosis. She has since finished her treatments, and is finally cancer free.
The album opens with a short instrumental song, with background vocals but no lyrics. This song, “Reaching Up to the Sun,” sets the tone for the rest of the album, showing a strange and nostalgic mood. Though many songs have a weirder, more electronic sound, they still contain lyrics with meaning.
Much of the album is instrumental, but this does not take away from its impact. If anything, the incredible instrumental sound adds to the feelings being conveyed.
News of the Universe is a deeply emotional, personal record that is uniquely able to demonstrate human feeling. Even though the band is not very well known, they have many albums and singles that are worth a listen.
