The title of New York based songwriter Laura Stevenson’s fifth album, The Big Freeze, is drawn from the name of the theory which supposes that if gravity is strong enough, our universe will collapse, pulling all of existence back down to infinitesimal size – but if expansion outpaces gravity, the universe will eventually be empty and cold.
In fact, Laura recorded her album in the dead of winter, and this time, her voice and guitar are the focus. This marks a considerable change from the punk and indie rock scenes and the occasional addition of a backing band. The Big Freeze may be the darkest and most emotional album so far, but it is also the most powerful. Imagine choruses of multi-tracked voices, swarms of cellos, French horns and violins; swelling orchestration, echoing aching loneliness.
Listen to the album’s third track “LIVING ROOM, NY” which tells of love and longing in seemingly impossible circumstances.
“On her fifth solo album, the New York musician both evolves as a singer-songwriter and grows in confidence, addressing heavy emotional themes with candour and grace.” – Pitchfork
“The Big Freeze captures her in a moment of releasing every pent-up feeling at once, producing an emotionally harrowing listen, full of unflinching honesty.” – VICE
“Indie singer-songwriter triumphs over past pain on the centrepiece of her new album, ‘The Big Freeze’” – Rolling Stone
Tickets are available for Laura’s Leeds gig here.
Tour dates:
June 19th – Paradiso, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
June 20th – Camden Assembly, London, United Kingdom
June 21st – Patterns, Brighton, United Kingdom
June 22nd – The Cavern, Exeter, United Kingdom
June 23rd – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds, United Kingdom
June 25th – Broadcast, Glasgow, United Kingdom
June 26th – Night People, Manchester, United Kingdom
June 27th – The Exchange, Bristol, United Kingdom
June 28th – Le Farmer, Lyon, France
June 29th – Mare Culturale Urbano, Milan, Italy
July 3rd – Whelan’s, Dublin, Ireland
Photographs by Rachel Brennecke. Provided by Prescription PR.