UNF Spinnaker
Political Coverage
Science/Health
Food/Lifestyle
Osprey Capital
Critter Column
Holiday Column
Spinnaker TV
Spinnaker Radio
Track-by-track review of Free Yourself Up by Lake Street Dive
Zain Beverly, Radio Intern
Lake Street Dive is a soulful jazz/americana/pop/rock/R&B troupe and they're exploring relationships from a mostly female perspective in their sixth studio album, Free Yourself Up. They're a multi-genre band, and this album exhibits it with songs ranging from big and loud jazzy anthems, rolling R&B grooves, and slow and personal ballads that would fit in at a smoky, dim lounge.
Track-by-track Review:
Baby Don't Leave Me Alone With My Thoughts – The album starts off strong with a string of the best songs it has to offer. This first track is a fun and flirty song with a driving groove and a nice teasing of one of Lake Street Dive's greatest assets, lead singer Rachael Price's powerful and smoky, alto voice. A song about casual relationships and using them to forget about your worries, at least for a bit.
Good Kisser – Up next is an empowered breakup song about standing up for yourself after a breakup, and not allowing an ex to turn your shared acquaintances against you. It's a fun time.
Shame, Shame, Shame – Is this track, the band takes up the role of a disillusioned partner fed up with the negative aspects of a significant other. It has an infectious groove in the first half, backed up by tight bassline and Price's vocal. Then it transitions into a gospel piece with promises of "change" coming.
I Can Change – See what they did there. The "change" that was promised in the last song has arrived in the form of a very personal acoustic piece about personal growth, with some haunting piano chords behind it.
Dude – I talked about a change in the album with the last song. It went from upbeat and loud anthems to a very personal and contemplative piece. The album changed again here, and not for the better. We've entered the Mediocre Zone™. Dude starts off promising with a driving beat and good kinetic energy, but it falls flat on a chorus that is really missing some "oomph." Also the line, "We used to kick it like Joe and Obama," makes my eyes want to roll out of my head.
Red Light Kisses – This track has a nice bassline, which is a constant through most songs on this album that includes the instrument. It's a fun enough song about the titular physical romantic gestures, if not just a little forgettable.
Doesn't Even Matter Now – We've waded through the Mediocre Zone™ and have made it back to Doesn't Even Matter Now. This tune starts out with our protagonist checking out some handsome devil at a bar, but it flips the script when she realizes that "Bobby" is a little more sinister than a pretty face. This rock/pop ballad touches on the dynamics between a man and a woman in a relationship, and how a messy breakup usually casts the latter in a bad light.
You Are Free – This track is a bit of a "run of the mill" love song with Lake Street Dive's signature sound. It's samey and just okay.
Musta Been Something – This track is the other slow, somber song on the album. It's another nice showcase of Price's amazing voice and would fit right in at a classy lounge. For me personally, however, it overstays its welcome and just isn't the kind of song I listen to the band for. This one is completely a matter of subjective taste.
Hang On – In the final track of the album, the band rekindles the energy from the first few tracks with a catchy tune that sort of reiterates the whole theme of this album. Through all these relationships, and Dude's, you've just gotta hang on.
Summary: Free Yourself Up is an album with some standout songs that are a ton of fun and inspiring tunes about relationships from a female perspective. Unfortunately, a few dull tracks weigh down the middle. Don't let it stop you from experiencing Good Kisser, Shame, Shame, Shame, or Hang On, though. I'd give this album 3.5/5 sails.
Florida House of Representatives demands DEI-related documents from state institutions
Performers announced for UNF's OzFestival 2023; some students disappointed
Florida universities pivot again to supply DeSantis with records of gender-affirming care
DeSantis shakes up public universities, ramps up his war on 'woke'
How social media is influencing Gen Z's political views
SG Senate unanimously pass resolution proposing limits to faculty spots will address parking concerns
Mallory Pace, News Editor
Women's basketball falls to JU in first River City Rumble meeting
Jacob Justice, Sports Reporter
Will recent Jags' success affect UNF student ticket deals?
Judd Barczak, Reporter
Men's basketball drops overtime heartbreaker against Central Arkansas
Riley Platt, Sports Editor
Tweets by UNFspinnaker
Jar of Flies by Alice in Chains, an album review
'What It Means To Fall Apart' album review
'HORIZONS' album review
'Blue Banisters' album review
'In These Silent Days' album review
'A Beginner's Mind' Album Review
'There are Leeches in Denton Lake' album review
Let the Bad Times Roll – 'The Offspring' album review
Review: Long-awaited release of Kanye West's 'Donda' is finally here
The Killers 'Pressure Machine' album review
UNF's #1 Student-Run News Source
Spinnaker intends for this area to be used to foster healthy, thought-provoking discussion. Comments are expected to adhere to our standards and to be respectful and constructive. As such, we do not permit the use of profanity, foul language, personal attacks, slurs, defamation, or the use of language that might be interpreted as libelous. Comments are reviewed and will be removed if they do not adhere to these standards. Spinnaker does not allow anonymous comments, and Spinnaker requires a valid email address. The email address will not be displayed but will be used to confirm your comments.
All UNF Spinnaker Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest