Feminine, Angsty, and Fun: Laney Jones and the Spirits
Album Review ★ Kenzie Gay ★ @kenzwrites ★ 4 Minutes
“Ever since my drummer/life partner Brian and I wrote this song three years ago, we’ve been trying to capture it,” says Laney Jones of Laney Jones and the Spirits about the band’s song We Belong Together. “But it wasn’t until we solidified our live band and started recording with them — just over a year ago — that everything started clicking.”
For those outside the rock world, specifically in regards to Nashville’s own scene, Laney Jones and the Spirits may be a new name on your radar. Composed of frontwoman/singer/rhythm guitarist Laney Jones, drummer Brian Dowd, bassist Glen Hruska, and guitarist Carson Lystad, Laney Jones and the Spirits recently dropped their first record under the band’s name as opposed to Laney’s solo project. Self titling it accordingly, the album poses as a new era and it is definitely not one you want to miss.
(left) Laney Jones and the Spirits cover art via Kate Lamendola (right) Laney Jones and the Spirits via Nicole Miller
Opening with Fun Fun Fun, Laney Jones and the Spirits starts off by easing into things rather than hitting the ground running. That first track is short albeit fun and folky, setting a tone that is similar to the styles of Sierra Ferrell and The Moldy Peaches although this initially established attitude really spins itself on its head by the time the second track, Bitch Year, comes in.
Bitch Year is heavy and sassy, a perfect rock n’ roll song by all lyrical means since it is cryptic and not that easy to grasp. “Bad luck, Hollyweird. Down and out on fifth and vine. The man is playing Dylan on the cover of the LA Times” is a great example of this (plus, who doesn’t love a good Dylan reference?!) storytelling that the audience isn’t keyed into. Even if us as listeners don’t have the full background or context, Bitch Year still lets itself be heard in a ruggedly feminine way through every verse but particularly the chorus in which Jones sings “Rock n’ roll, rock n’ roll. Burning through the stereo. Bite me like an animal. Be a dear and fetch me a beer. It’s been a bitch year”.
Further down the album we’re met with Live Wire, a more acoustic-y number that blends magic with realism. It’s nostalgic in an odd, almost indescribable way as Jones sings about being a live wire - a person who is often energetic and unpredictable. Specifically, she sings about this and how she can forget herself, but the people around her serve as a reminder of who she is. “Case of the Mondays, fearful of Sundays. Feeling like a nobody. You came around here, picked up my frown dear, reminded me of who I wanna be” hits home for many listeners whether they relate to the notion of being a live wire or not and the other band members’ instrumental contributions give it a phantasmagorical finish that makes it stand out.
Waiting on You follows Live Wire and it brings us back to the edgy rock n roll attitude as Jones sings about living life to the fullest even if it’s impulsive. She reiterates time and time again “I ain’t got no patience these days. Oh do what you wanna do. I ain’t got no time to waste. I’m tired of waiting on you”. This angst dissipates into a softer, optimistic manner with Shelly.
Shelly, I couldn’t help but compare to the early works of both Briston Maroney and Houndmouth. Both are very different artists since one’s an indie singer/songwriter and the other is a blues rock band but Laney Jones and the Spirits has found a beautiful balance between the two, it seems. They bring that youthful happiness that Maroney has while twisting it with the humble flow Houndmouth possesses. (Plus, Dowd really has deep Shane Cody vibes in terms of style.)
With a few more songs that are all magnetic, silly, introspective, and charming in their own right, Laney Jones and the Spirits is brought to an end with Another Rolling Stone - a song perfect for any vagabond out there. The band comes together in a perfect rock n’ roll storm to go out with a bang whilst Jones sings about her desire to be “another rolling stone”. Again, the lyrics are dotted with little notions and details listeners may be a touch confused by but it’s very well done and ultimately leaves us wanting more.
Thankfully, there’s always a repeat button.
After this monumental release for Laney Jones and the Spirits, the band is hitting the road next month for some select shows opening for The Heavy Heavy alongside a headlining performance in New York City at Bowery Ballroom. If you’re unable to catch a show, you can listen to the new record in the meantime and hopefully, they’ll come to a city near you in 2026.
