Review

‘Let the Lonely Heart Sing’ pulsates with heart, there’s an old-school spirit at work throughout, with lavish instrumentation, rich countermelodies and profound lyrics. Dennis Kane's shimmering guitars provide lush layers for Monica Richards' ethereal vocals and harmonies (which will delight original fans of Strange Boutique as well as Faith and the Muse, who have missed her voice), along with Steve Willett's unmistakable chorus-drenched bass all layered over organic rhythms make this release truly enchanting. The album also features a live string quartet, adding breathtaking layers on three tracks. Steve Willett served as the main creative force behind most of the album, while Dennis Kane also wrote the closing track and contributed his signature guitar sound throughout. The two would send their demos to Monica, who would then write her distinctive lyrics and work on the vocals. Through a combination of Zoom meetings, phone calls, texts, and demo recordings, the song arrangements were completed. Strange Boutique subsequently entered Baltimore's Magpie Cage studio to track live drums. So far, two singles have been released: ‘The Night Birds’ and ‘Jet Stream.’ Both songs have generated genuine excitement among fans. With an extensive and highly influential history achieved, Strange Boutique have unsurprisingly built a dedicated following with their mesmerizing post-punk approach. ‘Let the Lonely Heart Sing’ perfectly celebrates all-of the unique elements that fans know and love about the band, whilst hinting at an incredibly promising future.