Review
"Free Yourself Up" by Lake Street Dive is a record where the past and present sit side by side, much like old friends in a dimly lit jazz club. The band’s retro instincts run deep, echoing classic rock and soul with a freshness that feels true and unrushed. Rachael Price's vocals glide effortlessly from playful to heartfelt, especially on rollicking numbers like "Shame, Shame, Shame" and the lively "Baby Don’t Leave Me Alone with My Thoughts." There’s something honest about the way the band folds nostalgia into their own sound, making the familiar feel alive again.
Throughout the album, there’s a warmth and camaraderie that harks back to the days when bands honed their craft night after night, swapping stories between sets. The songs strike a balance between joy and contemplation, and you can sense the history of soul and pop simmering beneath each catchy hook and smooth harmony. While the musicians play with a kind of relaxed precision, the group’s chemistry is what truly carries the spirit of the blues and jazz tradition forward. "Free Yourself Up" invites you in, as if to remind us that sometimes, letting go means taking part in something time-honored and blissfully communal. - Micah
